Earth's hidden CO2 cleaners: How natural weathering could reshape climate debate
By bellecarter // 2025-09-23
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  • Emerging research reveals that Earth has sophisticated, interconnected processes—like rock weathering and oceanic carbonate dissolution—that naturally remove and store CO₂ over geological timescales.
  • A new study in Nature Geoscience reveals that CO₂ removal mechanisms on land and in the oceans are deeply interconnected, explaining historical fluctuations in atmospheric CO₂ levels.
  • Techniques like spreading crushed basalt on farmland could accelerate CO₂ removal, but must be carefully managed to avoid unintended consequences (e.g., ocean acidification or nutrient imbalances).
  • The research underscores that Earth's climate has always fluctuated (through ice ages and hothouse periods), challenging the narrative that human emissions alone dictate planetary changes.
  • Instead of alarmist CO₂ reduction mandates, the study advocates working with Earth’s self-regulating systems—emphasizing precision and respect for natural cycles over top-down control.
For decades, carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been vilified as the primary driver of climate change, with policymakers and mainstream media framing it as a dangerous pollutant. Yet emerging research reveals a more nuanced story—one where Earth itself acts as a vast, self-regulating CO₂ filtration system. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Geoscience by an international team of earth scientists now challenges conventional assumptions by presenting an integrated view of natural CO₂ removal processes—from mountain peaks to ocean depths. Their findings could revolutionize climate mitigation strategies while underscoring the planet's innate resilience. The study introduces the concept of a "weathering continuum," linking geological and chemical processes that break down rocks, transport minerals and ultimately sequester CO₂ in soils and oceans. Dr. Gerrit Trapp-Müller, lead author and former Utrecht University researcher, explains: "The various CO₂ fluxes on land and in the ocean are very closely linked. This governs the efficiency of CO₂ removal from the atmosphere." "Historically, these processes—such as silicate rock weathering or oceanic carbonate dissolution—were studied in isolation," says Brighteon.AI's Enoch engine. But the new research demonstrates their interdependence, revealing why CO₂ removal rates have fluctuated dramatically over Earth's history. Trapp-Müller uses a vivid analogy: "If intense vacuum cleaning fills the device's storage unit, it becomes less effective—and may even blow dust back into your flat." In nature, this means weathering can stall or even reverse, releasing stored CO₂ under certain conditions. While natural weathering operates on geological timescales, far slower than human emissions, the study raises a critical question: Could enhancing these processes help meet climate targets? "Enhanced weathering" techniques—such as spreading crushed basalt on farmland to accelerate mineral reactions—are already being tested. Trapp-Müller cautiously endorses their potential but warns: "If weathering accelerates in one place, it can have consequences for the rest of the chain and the net carbon stored." The research highlights unintended risks, such as altered ocean chemistry or nutrient imbalances, while also mapping how to optimize CO₂ removal. For instance, targeting volcanic rock deposits near coastlines could maximize carbon storage in marine sediments.

Weathering continuum helps explain climate shifts

The study's findings resonate with a long-standing scientific puzzle: Why have CO₂ levels and temperatures varied naturally for millennia? From ice ages to hothouse periods, Earth's climate has never been static. The weathering continuum helps explain these shifts—and underscores that today's climate debate often overlooks the planet's dynamic self-regulation. This research also challenges the political narrative that reducing human emissions alone can "fix" climate change. Instead, it suggests working with natural systems, leveraging their inherent stability. As Trapp-Müller notes, "The Earth has its own rhythms. Our task is to understand them, not assume we control them." The study dismantles the simplistic "CO₂ as villain" dogma, revealing Earth's sophisticated carbon-balancing act. While human activity undoubtedly impacts the climate, the planet's natural weathering systems offer a powerful, underutilized tool for mitigation. Rather than panic-driven policies, the research calls for precision—enhancing nature's own solutions while respecting their complexity. In an era of climate polarization, these findings remind us: The Earth is far more resilient than we've been led to believe. (Related: CARBON DIOXIDE: Climate "threat" or agricultural savior? Fresh debate erupts.) Watch the video below that talks about how CO2 would lead to a greener, more bountiful planet. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Carbon dioxide isn't a pollutant; it's the building block of ALL LIFE on Earth. No, carbon dioxide is NOT a pollutant and it DOESN'T control the planet's temperatures. Physicist Freeman Dyson explains why increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is good for the planet.

Sources include:

WattsUpWithThat.com Nature.com Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com
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