[AnotherUnixGeek]

“Well, I buy the gold standard of, funding Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint,” the Microsoft co-founder, being interviewed in Kenya, replied.

In an earlier era, he'd have bought papal dispensations which allowed him to do whatever he pleased, guilt free. This is what wealthy and powerful hypocrites have done throughout history.

[woodbutcher1963]

Now they buy timberlands and not cut the trees down.

[Avalon Memories]

Does anyone know what he means by “direct air capture?” I kinda thought we all do that simply by breathing. How silly of me.

[blueplum]

according to a wiki article, Climeworks would need to build 250,000 units to achieve a 1% atmospheric carbon reduction (if current levels remain static). The carbon produced requires underground storage and although some is sold to ‘a’ greenhouse for $1K/ton. The industry would require “long-term government investment in incentives.”

what isn’t said is the carbon cost of building and staffing 250K units, the creating of underground storage facilities and the cost of maintaining an army of lobbyists to lobby governments to make long term “investments” in a private commerical enterprise.

Sounds like a feel-good business created to provide jobs to the kids of rich parents paid for by the government.