What I find fascinating about this technology is not so much someone discovered it, but, where it was discovered. Iceland is a volcanic island and it's primary source of energy is geothermal.
When I was there to visit, I stayed in a hotel in Reykjavik. After unpacking and reading to go out on my first visit to everything climate in Iceland, I noticed there was no blanket on the bed and none in the closet or in any of the draws. So, I did what every self-respecting Westerner would do and called to the front desk. The clerk told me I was welcome to turn up the heat in the room until I was comfortable because it was hot water in the pipes in the space by the windows that warmed the room. No blankets were necessary, it was all geothermal energy and it was all free heat. Yes, I was there during the winter and I took a walk to the town's public pools where folks were in bathing suits in the coldest part of winter.
A trip to the Blue Lagoon (click here) was fascinating. Besides the volcanic mud that turns skin to silky soft in a matter of minutes, I was in hot water and it was snowing on my head. I would not have given up the experience for love nor money.
But, as to Iceland. They are what one might call cosmopolitan. They take in all the world's activities and relish live at it's fullest. So, when the climate became an issue, regardless of it's lousy Alcoa Smelters that chose the island country because it had no rank in the Kyoto Protocols, Iceland gets involved. So, here we are at COP 26 and what is a possiblity, CO2 extraction by an island country without any cares as to greenhouse gas emissions.
IT IS CALLED A NATIONAL CONSCIENCE.
The USA used to have one, but, it lost it when it decided declaring war on innocent people regardless it's lousy dictator was a noble cause. "W"rong! This climate crisis and the depth of morality shown by countries like Iceland is noble. And, it is not a cause, it is a matter of life or death.
By Ivana Kottasova
Hellisheiðarvirkjun, Iceland - The windswept valleys (click here) surrounding the Hengill volcano in southwestern Iceland are dotted with hot springs and steam vents. Hikers from all over the world come here to witness its breath-taking scenery. Even the sheep are photogenic in the soft Nordic light.
Right in the middle of all that natural beauty sits a towering metal structure resembling four giant Lego bricks, with two rows of six whirring fans running across each one. It's a contraption that looks truly futuristic, like something straight out of a sci-fi film.
Humans have emitted so much carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere that machines like this are being used to literally suck the gas back out, like giant vacuum cleaners, in an attempt to slow the climate crisis and prevent some of its most devastating consequences.
The Orca plant — its name derived from the Icelandic word for energy — is what is known as a "direct air carbon capture facility," and its creator and operator, Swiss firm Climeworks, say it's the world's largest....
