Podcast Recap: Why the Ocean Might Just Be Our Best Ally in Climate Repair
The climate crisis can feel overwhelming. But it’s also one of the most exciting frontiers for innovation. That energy came through clearly in the latest Disruptors podcast, where Planetary CEO Mike Kelland joined other leaders to discuss carbon removal, ocean health, and what’s next.
Hosted by RBC’s John Stackhouse and CDL’s Sonia Sennik, the episode spotlights promising approaches to removing CO₂ from the atmosphere, including ours.
“We actually call it seawater restoration. The ocean has absorbed so much CO₂, it’s becoming more acidic. We use natural minerals to help reverse that acidification — and in doing so, we permanently remove CO₂ while supporting healthier marine ecosystems.”
— Mike Kelland
At Planetary, we’ve spent five years proving that ocean alkalinity enhancement works. It’s not just a theory, it’s measurable and effective.
We’ve shown that our process:
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Reduces acidity in the ocean using natural, safe minerals.
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Removes CO₂ durably for hundreds of thousands of years.
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Supports marine life, including fisheries and shellfish growth.
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Can scale quickly thanks to existing coastal infrastructure.
Now Is The Time
There’s no single solution to climate change. However, there are a few that can scale fast and make a real difference. Ocean-based carbon removal is one of them.
As Mike shared on the podcast: “It’s too late to only reduce emissions. We also have to clean up the carbon already out there.”
That’s where seawater restoration fits in. It enhances a natural system to draw down CO₂, safely and at scale. Importantly, we’ve proven it can be done with care, transparency, and scientific oversight.
Recognition and Momentum
Planetary was honored to receive the XPRIZE X-Factor Award for ocean carbon removal. This recognition validates the years of scientific work and partnership behind our approach. More importantly, it signals growing momentum in the carbon removal space.
We’re not alone in this work. But we’re helping lead it with strong data, environmental monitoring, and a commitment to local and global partnerships.
Planetary accepts the XPRIZE Carbon Removal XFACTOR award on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in New York. (Charles Sykes/AP Content Services for XPRIZE Foundation)
Moving Forward
The world needs to scale carbon removal from billions to trillions by 2050. That’s a massive challenge, but it’s also an opportunity. With the right partners, we can build systems that remove carbon, restore ocean health, and protect the future.
If you’re a funder, carbon buyer, or institutional partner exploring high-integrity carbon removal, we’d love to connect.
