S3E21: Direct Ocean Capture or Direct Air Capture?—w/ Steve Oldham, CEO of Captura

Direct air capture (DAC) is growing in popularity around the world, and it is an important tool for reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. But 30% of all the carbon dioxide we’ve emitted to date is stored in the ocean. So, what can we do to sequester CO2 from ocean water? Is the technology similar to that of direct air capture? How does the process work? Steve Oldham is former CEO of DAC pioneer Carbon Engineering and current CEO of Captura, a startup working to capture carbon dioxide from our oceans at scale. On this episode of Reversing Climate Change, Steve joins Ross and cohost Radhika Moolgavkar, Head of Supply and Methodology at Nori, to explain what he believes may make direct ocean capture cheaper and easier than DAC. Steve discusses how the natural equilibrium between the ocean and the atmosphere provides an opportunity for carbon removal and describes how his team evaluates candidate sites with a focus on existing oil and gas infrastructure. Listen in for Steve’s insight on the greatest challenges facing carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and learn how Captura’s signature electrodialysis process captures CO2 while attempting to avoid disrupting the ocean. Connect with Nori Purchase Nori Carbon Removals Nori's website Nori on Twitter Check out our other podcast, Carbon Removal Newsroom Resources Captura Carbon Engineering IPCC Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Inflation Reduction Act 45Q Tax Credit California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Frontier’s Carbon Removal Initiative Henry’s Law Captura’s XPRIZE Net-Zero Emissions Procurement by 2050 Energy Earthshots Initiative CE’s Partnership with Occidental