The consumption of fossil fuels produces the harmful climate gas CO2. Now, one could simply do without fossil fuels, but then one would have to accept that the world economy would collapse if they were to end abruptly. Therefore, it is not stupid to consider alternatives until the time comes when we can do without fossil fuels altogether.
One way to reduce and bind CO2 has been found by the University in Tempe/Arizona. Upright pipes that extract CO2 from the air with the help of filter discs. And not just individual pipes, but an entire forest of pipes several metres high.
According to inventor Lackner, the metal trees are supposed to be a thousand times more efficient when it comes to getting the pollutant CO2 out of the air. And this is how it works: The flat discs, 1.5 metres in diameter, are soaked in a resin that binds the sheep matter. After 20 minutes, the disc is full. The resin then drips into a collection container that collects the CO2 into underground tanks. Energy is needed to dissolve the resin from the disc, but much of the heat generated is recycled.
Unlike real trees, however, the artificial forests do not emit carbon compounds, but so far only absorb CO2. The absorbed CO2 can be stored endlessly and converted into synthetic fuels when needed. The state of Arizona is planning a total of three such forests, the first of which is to go into operation as early as this year.
Another advantage over natural trees: they need neither fertile soil nor regular water and can therefore in principle be planted anywhere: Next to motorways, at traffic junctions and in industrial areas. And, of course, everywhere where there may be driving bans.