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Pitch

If micro-organisms can be engineered to consume N2O at just slightly higher O2 levels, there would be a drastic reduction in N2O emissions.


Description

Summary

After CO2 and CH4, N2O is the most important greenhouse gas.  This gas is produced by micro-organisms in terrestrial and oceanic systems. 

Interestingly, at very low O2 levels (e.g., around 10 micromoles per liter in the ocean), micro-organisms actually consume N2O instead of producing it.  If a micro-organism could be altered to consume N2O at just slightly higher O2 concentrations, and if this organism would still be competitive, N2O emissions would drastically be reduced. 


Category of the action

Geoengineering


What actions do you propose?


Who will take these actions?


Where will these actions be taken?


What are other key benefits?


What are the proposal’s costs?

Likely several hundred million USD?


Time line


Related proposals


References