Technology

Sucking Carbon from the Sky

Can Direct Air Capture Technology Scale Fast Enough to Matter for the Climate?

Amelia Grant

Chemical engineer at Columbia University's Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy, working on direct air capture technology and carbon removal policy.

February 12, 2026·7 min read

Sucking Carbon from the Sky

Direct air capture — technology that removes carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere — is no longer science fiction. Several commercial plants are operating, and the technology is improving rapidly. But the costs remain high, the energy requirements are enormous, and the scale needed to make a meaningful difference is staggering.

TOPICS

carbon captureclimate changeclean energytechnologyclimate policy

More from Technology

View all Technology articles →

Technology

The Alignment Problem

As artificial intelligence systems grow more capable, the question of how to ensure they pursue goals aligned with human values becomes increasingly urgent. The alignment problem may be the defining technical and philosophical challenge of the coming century.

Sarah Chen·16 min read

Technology

Quantum Computing's Inflection Point

After decades of theoretical promise and incremental progress, quantum computing is approaching a critical threshold. The first practical quantum advantage over classical computers is within reach, with profound implications for cryptography, drug discovery, and materials science.

Aisha Patel·11 min read

Society & Culture

Urban Futures

Cities are both major contributors to climate change and its most vulnerable victims. But they are also the sites of the most innovative responses to the crisis, from green infrastructure to circular economy initiatives to radical experiments in urban governance.

Kwame Mensah·11 min read

View all Technology articles →