$45 Million Boost for Carbon Cycle Research as New Institute Launches
Table of Contents
A new initiative backed by $45 million in funding will propel critical research into the global carbon cycle,aiming to refine climate projections and inform strategies for a more sustainable future. The funding, announced by Schmidt Sciences, will support four international teams through its newly established Virtual Institute for the Carbon Cycle (VICC).
“The Virtual Institute for the carbon Cycle will offer us not only clarity but also the facts we need to make wise decisions along the way toward a healthier, more resilient and more secure world and future for all,” said founder of Schmidt Sciences.
The Urgency of Understanding Carbon’s Movement
while climate modeling has significantly advanced in recent decades, influencing decisions across sectors from energy to disaster preparedness, ample uncertainties remain. Current models rely on vast datasets that are frequently enough tough to accurately measure, particularly regarding the movement of carbon dioxide across regional and continental scales. VICC’s core mission is to more precisely capture the carbon cycle – the continuous exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans, plant life, and soils.
the selected research teams will focus on gathering high-resolution data, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to generate improved climate projections. This enhanced understanding is crucial for informed decision-making on a planetary scale.
Four Projects Leading the Charge
In 2024,VICC received over 170 project submissions,ultimately selecting four for funding following a rigorous review process involving independant experts and the VICC Advisory Board. The chosen projects represent a diverse range of critical research areas:
Congo Basin carbon Flux Experiment (Congo-FLEX)
Led by Simon L. Lewis of the University of Leeds and University College London, Congo-FLEX will establish the first on-site measurements of carbon flux within the Congo Basin, the world’s second-largest tropical forest.The research will investigate how deforestation, forest degradation, and regrowth impact the carbon cycle in this vital region.
Combining LAnd-use, modeling and Remote-sensing to Transform carbon budgets (CLARiTy)
Stephen Sitch of the University of Exeter leads CLARiTy, a project focused on reducing uncertainty in land-based carbon cycling measurements. Utilizing high-resolution data from satellites, drones, and other earth observation technologies, combined with advanced AI and modeling techniques, CLARiTy aims to provide more accurate carbon accounting on annual and decadal timescales.
Constraining ocean Carbon with Optimized Observing (COCO2)
Adrienne Sutton of NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory and Galen McKinley of Columbia University/Lamont-doherty Earth Observatory are spearheading COCO2. Recognizing that the ocean absorbs over a quarter of human-caused climate emissions annually, this project will deploy advanced, AI-informed observing missions in the Southern Ocean to improve measurements and understanding of the ocean’s carbon sink.
Rapid Permafrost Thaw Carbon Trajectories (PeTCaT)
guido Grosse of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany, leads PeTCaT, a project dedicated to quantifying the impact of rapidly thawing permafrost in Arctic and Boreal ecosystems on global greenhouse gas budgets. the research will integrate field studies, laboratory analysis, remote sensing, deep learning, and Earth system modeling to assess the vulnerability of the world’s largest land carbon pool.
Looking Ahead
VICC plans to issue another open call for proposals next year, prioritizing research into areas such as wetland emissions, soil carbon flux, innovative instrumentation, and advancements in modeling. the institute’s ongoing commitment to supporting cutting-edge research underscores the critical need for a deeper understanding of the carbon cycle in the face of a changing climate. The data generated by thes projects will not only refine climate models but also contribute to more effective disaster planning, informed energy transitions, and ultimately, a more sustainable future.
