The problem: 300 gigatons of carbon in the atmosphere. The solution?

• Prof. Dr. Thomas Crowther, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich
• Dr. Jean-François Bastin, Institute of Integrative Biology, ETH Zurich
• Prof. Dr. Nicolas Gruber, Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, ETH Zurich

Since the start of the industrial revolution, humankind has increased atmospheric carbon by approximately 300 Gigatons, i.e. 300 billion tons, – a number now growing by 10 Gt each year. This atmospheric carbon cannot be levelled out by the natural carbon cycling of ecosystems. Strategies to reduce future emissions are discussed broadly in politics and the economy, but even if implemented successfully, they would only decelerate climate change by a small margin. To offset it completely, we must draw down the carbon from the atmosphere and thereby prevent the feedback loops of global warming and carbon loss from ecosystems. But how? In this panel, experts in ecology, oceanography and biochemistry share insights into the functioning of the Earth’s natural ecosystems and discuss, for the first time, their potential to absorb and store carbon as a nature-based solution to climate change. How does soil store carbon? How much carbon could be captured by trees? And what happens to the animal world in the oceans when exposed to extra carbon? Join us to learn more and join the discussion. This panel is hosted by the Crowther Lab, an interdisciplinary research group based at ETH Zurich with the aim to create a holistic global understanding of natural ecosystems and guide effective nature-based climate change solutions anywhere around the world with ecological data.

Talk in English