The new 'weapon' against global warming

At the UN Climate Conference taking place in Bali (Indonesia), Asian scientists introduced a type of 'weapon' that would be very effective in overcoming global warming. That is seaweed. This plant has the ability to absorb toxic carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) from the atmosphere comparable to the global tropical forests.

Chung Ik-kyo, a South Korean environmental researcher, said that in addition to focusing on the role of greening the air of green forests, the world should pay attention to the ocean - which can supply about 8 million tons of seaweed every year. , of which 80% are in the Asia - Pacific waters.

An Indonesian citizen is taking care of his seaweed farm in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia on December 6 (Photo: AP)

Proponents of this initiative argue that seaweed is a species of photosynthesis - the process of turning CO ₂ and sunlight into energy and oxygen - quite quickly, so it is a good candidate for the ability to ' trap ' gas. carbon in the air. With a growth rate of 3 to 4 m in just 3 months, some marine algae are capable of absorbing CO ₂ with concentrations 5 times higher than terrestrial plants. 'They (marine algae) are very efficient ecosystems , ' said John Beardall, an expert at Monash University (Australia). In addition to the ability to store carbon, marine algae can also be used in the production of environmentally friendly biofuels, thus ensuring that CO2 does not return to the atmosphere once used by humans. making food.

Currently Japan and South Korea are the two leading countries in studying the potential of using seaweed to reverse the process of climate change. The Japanese government and a group of companies are investigating a large-scale seaweed growing project off the western edge of the country.

However, some people are skeptical about the feasibility of the initiative and argue that plants are an effective solution to ' confine ' CO2 because they can live from year to month while growing. and harvesting algae only takes a few months so once they die, they release CO2 back into the atmosphere.

SONG NGOC