Navigating Deeper Waters for Adaptive Resiliency in a Changing Climate.
Is AI now being trained to promote Direct Air Capture? It seems every time I write something about Renewable Energy in Chat-GPT and Gemini AI it defaults to Carbon Capture of CO2 as a direct form of decreasing our carbon. Climate Change Community promotes primarily Tidal, Wind, Solar and Clean Hydrogen (water-based) only.
We oppose Carbon Capture unless someone builds something small but has the capacity to pull an amazing amount of CO2 from the atmosphere and we definitely oppose Nuclear for two reasons, it is too timely and the getting rid of the waste is extremely challenging due to shelf life.
So I refer back to my original question. Is AI now being trained to promote Direct Air Capture?
In this deeper dive, we will explore why AI might seem to support Direct Air Capture (DAC), how that approach compares to Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen, and what truly matters when working toward a future of Adaptive Resiliency in our Climate and Ecological emergency. Our goal is to offer more detailed insights so that you can understand the technologies, the motivations behind them, and the best path forward to truly clean and lasting energy solutions.
Part 1: Why Does AI Talk So Much About Direct Air Capture?
1. Data Volume and Trending Topics
AI chatbots learn from massive amounts of text—from academic research papers to business announcements. Right now, there is a surge in studies, press releases, and high-profile investments about Direct Air Capture. Since AI is designed to respond with recent and “high-impact” information, it’s no surprise that DAC comes up often. Essentially, the more the tech world and governments talk about something, the more an AI will highlight it.
2. Corporate and Government Funding
High-profile funding initiatives have also pushed DAC into the spotlight. In 2023, the U.S. government pledged up to $1.2 billion toward building two large DAC sites in Texas and Louisiana.[19] Corporations like Meta are experimenting with advanced DAC research through projects like the massive open dataset collaboration with Georgia Tech.[1] When money and media coverage focus on a topic, AI’s responses often reflect that emphasis.
3. Hope for a “Miracle Fix”
Many people see DAC as a possible miracle fix to neutralize the harmful CO2 we keep pouring into the sky. However, while capturing CO2 directly from the air can potentially help, critics worry it might encourage us to continue burning fossil fuels instead of shutting them down. Think of it like using a bucket to bail out water from a sinking boat without first plugging the hole. We might slow the flooding, but we’re not fully solving the problem. That tension is why people raise questions: “Is AI promoting DAC, or is it merely reflecting our growing dependence on new technology to solve old problems?”
“When we invest in technology to mop up our mess, we should not forget to stop spilling in the first place.” – Dr. Avery Maxwell, Environmental Sociologist
Part 2: Going Deeper – The Basics of Direct Air Capture vs. Renewables
1. The Science of DAC
Direct Air Capture uses chemical or physical processes to pull CO2 straight out of the air, either by using liquid solutions that bind CO2 or solid filters that trap it. After the CO2 is captured, it can be compressed and stored underground or utilized in some industrial process. The big challenge, however, is the amount of energy needed to operate DAC machines. If that energy comes from fossil fuels, it can offset the very carbon savings DAC is supposed to deliver. Moreover, building large-scale facilities requires metal, plastics, and land, potentially affecting local communities and ecosystems.[14]
2. Tidal: A Hidden Power Source
Tidal energy harnesses the natural rise and fall of ocean tides, offering an extremely predictable power supply. This predictability stems from the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, which is not affected by daily weather patterns. While DAC remains an emerging technology with uncertain scaling potential, tidal turbines have already been tested in real-world conditions—such as in Scotland’s MeyGen project—showing that stable, sizable amounts of electricity can be produced. Some tidal devices convert up to 80% of tidal energy into electricity, making them exceptionally efficient compared to many other methods.[1 from Part 2]
3. Wind: Growing into Global Dominance
Wind energy, whether onshore or offshore, has become one of the fastest-growing forms of Renewable Energy. Engineers are designing larger and taller turbines, some of which have begun to incorporate partial CO2 capture in pilot projects.[7][9] Yet overall, harnessing wind primarily for electricity is simpler and more reliable. We do not need to worry about capturing carbon from the air if we are not emitting that carbon in the first place.
4. Solar: Light and Power for Everyone
Solar power has also spread worldwide, from large farms to rooftop panels. Its cost has dropped dramatically over the last decade, making solar a top contender for direct, emission-free electricity. Although some new research aims to pair solar farms with DAC technology, using solar mainly to replace fossil-fueled electricity is the more straightforward way to cut carbon emissions.[10]
5. Clean Hydrogen: A Versatile Fuel
Clean Hydrogen is created by splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using renewable electricity, meaning the energy needed for the split comes from wind, solar, tidal, or other green sources. Some foresee hydrogen powering cars, trucks, ships, and industrial processes, with zero CO2 released at the point of use. Critics note that more than 95% of hydrogen is still made using fossil fuels, so scaling up truly green hydrogen is crucial for it to be a real climate solution.[2][11]
Part 3: The Deeper Issues with Relying on DAC
1. Energy Intensity and Carbon “Debt”
DAC systems need huge amounts of energy to run fans or pumps that move air through filters. If that energy source is not entirely renewable, we add a “carbon debt” (where we use dirty energy to capture carbon). Some calculations show that until DAC technology matures enough to cut energy use drastically, the net effect could be smaller than we hope. According to researchers at MIT, many DAC plans might be overly optimistic on energy use and cost.[20]
2. Storage and Transportation
Even if we capture CO2 from the air, we then face the challenge of where to put it. Storing compressed CO2 underground can be risky if sites are not chosen carefully. Potential leaks could undo all the benefits of removing CO2 from the air. Transporting CO2 via pipelines also poses risks, such as leaks or ruptures, which can harm local communities and wildlife. Meanwhile, Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen solutions avoid these complications by not generating CO2 in the first place.
3. Financial and Resource Diversion
Large-scale DAC facilities can cost billions of dollars, and if we divert these resources away from Tidal, Wind, Solar, or Clean Hydrogen research, we might be losing time and momentum to scale up more direct emission-free energy sources. Critics say we should invest heavily in stopping emissions right now, rather than hoping to capture them later once they’re already in the atmosphere.
“We cannot buy our way out of a burning house. We must also turn off the fire at its source.” – Professor Elena Coast, Climate Adaptation Specialist
4. Moral Hazard
“Moral hazard” describes the concern that if people believe DAC is around the corner, they might not feel as pressured to reduce fossil fuel consumption today. If we keep believing that technology will clean up our mess, we might delay the shift to Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen. This psychological aspect can slow real, necessary progress on Climate solutions.
Part 4: Why We Oppose Nuclear
1. Setup Time vs. Urgent Needs
Nuclear power plants often take a decade or more to plan, license, and build. This is far slower than installing most forms of Renewable Energy, such as Solar arrays or Wind farms. Meanwhile, climate warnings suggest we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically within the next few years to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. Thus, nuclear can feel too slow when measured against urgent global deadlines.
2. Waste Storage and Safety
Nuclear waste remains dangerously radioactive for centuries, posing long-term management challenges. Building secure facilities to store this material is expensive and not guaranteed to be foolproof. Accident risks, although lower with modern reactor designs, still exist. For these reasons, the Climate Change Community opposes nuclear solutions, especially when safer, faster-deploying Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen solutions are available.
Part 5: Diving Deeper into Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen
1. Tidal Energy’s Reliability and Global Potential
Unlike Solar or Wind, which can fluctuate during nighttime or calm days, tides are incredibly dependable. Gravity ensures that the oceans rise and fall with a schedule we can chart for decades. This reliability makes Tidal a prime choice for “baseload” power—always ready to deliver electricity. While Tidal technology is newer and may cost more at the start, experience in places like Canada, the UK, and South Korea reveals that costs can drop as projects expand and technology improves.[4][5]
2. Wind Energy Innovations
Wind turbines are breaking records for height, capacity, and efficiency. In particular, offshore wind farms capture stronger, more consistent ocean breezes. Some scientists are even investigating how to partially capture CO2 at offshore wind sites without hindering power generation—although this is still in early stages.[9] The main takeaway is that wind stands as a proven, ever-evolving clean energy source with huge global potential.
3. Solar’s Rapid Cost Decline
Solar energy continues to get cheaper, which is crucial for developing countries where large-scale changes in infrastructure are needed quickly. Advanced solar cells, more efficient inverters, and better battery technologies have pushed solar toward mainstream acceptance. Because of these improvements, solar is leading the charge in emission reductions.
4. The Rise of Clean Hydrogen
Hydrogen can store energy for long durations, making it valuable for industries like steel production and shipping. By using Renewable Energy sources (wind, solar, tidal) to split water molecules, we get hydrogen without emitting CO2. This process, called electrolysis, must become less expensive to be widely adopted. Many nations are setting up “green hydrogen” strategies to develop clean industries in parallel with renewable expansion.[2][11]
Part 6: Building Adaptive Resiliency for a Changing Climate
1. Adaptive Resiliency Explained
At the Climate Change Community, Adaptive Resiliency means preparing our energy systems, cities, farms, and communities not only to survive the impacts of Climate change but also to thrive. This involves upgrading infrastructure to handle extreme weather, ensuring food security through sustainable agriculture, and investing in safe, predictable Renewable Energy.
2. Community-Centered Approaches
We strongly believe in local, community-level decision-making. Residents of coastal towns should have a say in Tidal projects. Farmers should be part of the conversation about siting Wind turbines on their land. By involving communities from the start, we build trust and ensure that local environments and economies benefit directly from Renewable Energy installations.
3. Education and Collaboration
In-depth public education is key to mainstream acceptance of Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen. Governments, schools, and nonprofits can host workshops and build partnerships to show people exactly how these energies work and why they matter. The more we collaborate—sharing knowledge between coastal engineers, scientists, city planners, and everyday citizens—the stronger our Adaptive Resiliency becomes.
4. Avoiding Oversimplification
It’s easy to think that capturing carbon out of the air will solve all our problems, but we must remember that each new technology comes with its own complexities. Real Adaptive Resiliency involves multiple strategies working together: switching to Renewable Energy, storing some carbon if needed, preserving ecosystems that naturally absorb CO2 (like forests and wetlands), and reducing our overall consumption patterns.
“The surest way to secure our future is to invest in solutions that keep our skies clear in the first place, rather than trying to clear them once they are already clouded.” – Lydia Shoreline, Tidal Energy Advocate
Part 7: A Call to Action for Our Climate Tribe
So, is AI being trained to promote Direct Air Capture? Not directly. AI simply mirrors the flood of new DAC research, media coverage, and funding. Because of this, it may emphasize carbon removal when asked about Climate solutions. Yet the Climate Change Community asserts that the core priority should be Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen. Renewable Energy systems and immediate emissions reductions will do far more to steer us away from catastrophe.
We must not lose precious time hoping that carbon capture will clean up our pollution. Instead, we should focus on established, expanding, and proven solutions that generate electricity without causing further harm. This path ensures that we avoid the moral hazard of thinking “someone else will catch the carbon for us later.”
Our stance is that while DAC and other forms of Carbon Capture may help in certain niche or small-scale ways—especially if they prove truly efficient—they should not overshadow direct emission-free solutions. And we stand firm in our opposition to nuclear energy for its slow deployment, high cost, and the massive long-term issue of waste disposal.
By choosing Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen, we unite behind technologies that are safe, robust, and ready to scale right now. We uphold these methods as the brightest hopes for a future anchored in Adaptive Resiliency—one where we do not merely endure changing climatic conditions but actively shape a safer, healthier tomorrow for everyone.
Citations & Further Reading
Georgia Tech and Meta Create Massive Dataset
Growing Opportunities in Clean Hydrogen
Direct Air Capture Explained by DOE
City Power & Gas: Tidal Energy
Capturing Carbon at Offshore Wind Farms
Exploring Solar Energy’s Role in Carbon Capture
World Economic Forum: Carbon Capture and Storage Hydrogen
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1.2B for DAC
Community Approaches to Carbon Dioxide Removal
Direct Air Capture Faces Harsh Criticism
Skytree: Stop Wasting Renewable Energy
RMI: Make or Break for Direct Air Capture
Energy.gov: $1.2B for First DAC Hubs
MIT Reality Check on CO2 Removal
UPenn: The Calculus on Direct Air Capture
Thank you for reading. Together, we can chart a course for a future defined by genuine emission reductions and empowered communities—rather than perpetual cleanup. Let’s build an era of Adaptive Resiliency where Tidal, Wind, Solar, and Clean Hydrogen unite us under a common goal: preserving our planet and safeguarding the well-being of generations to come.
Tito
