"Carbon Removal: Bridging the Divide in the Climate Fight"

Two direct air capture (DAC) projects in Texas and Louisiana highlight the divide over the role of carbon removal technologies in the fight against climate change. Occidental Petroleum's project in Texas aims to inject captured carbon into oil fields to increase crude production, while Climeworks and Heirloom's project in Louisiana plans to store the carbon underground and advocates for a transition to renewable energy. The clash reflects a global debate over whether carbon removal should be used to reduce emissions from fossil fuels or to eliminate fossil fuels altogether. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has criticized the over-reliance on carbon capture, while proponents argue that DAC is necessary to meet climate goals. The financial viability of these projects remains uncertain, as DAC technology is expensive and unproven at scale.