In the fight against climate change, carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is gaining increasing attention. These technologies are designed to pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, a crucial step to reaching global climate targets and limiting global warming to safe levels. But public awareness and support play a major role in how quickly these innovations can be adopted. Over the past decade, a surprising source of insights into public perception has emerged: social media.
A new study analyzed millions of tweets from 2010 to 2022 to understand how people discuss CDR online. The results reveal that conversations about carbon removal have not only grown exponentially but have also become more positive over time. However, the type of CDR discussed and the tone of these conversations vary widely, providing key insights into how these technologies are perceived.
Why Carbon Removal Matters
Carbon dioxide removal is critical to meeting climate goals. From planting trees to using high-tech machines that capture carbon directly from the air, these methods aim to offset emissions and even reverse damage already done to the environment. While scientists and policymakers are working to scale up these technologies, public opinion can make or break their success.
Support from the public ensures that carbon removal projects are accepted and funded, but many people still know very little about these technologies. That’s where social media comes in. Platforms like Twitter (X) provide a real-time look at how people feel about climate solutions, offering a unique way to track awareness and sentiment.
What the Study Found
The researchers analyzed over 500,000 tweets about carbon removal technologies, dividing them into two categories: conventional methods like tree planting and soil restoration, and novel methods like direct air capture (DAC) and biochar. They used machine learning to assess whether the tweets were positive, negative, or neutral in tone. Here’s what they discovered:
Conversations about carbon removal have grown significantly in recent years. Before 2016, the topic received little attention, but tweets surged by over 32% annually in the following years. This growth reflects a broader awareness of climate change and the role of carbon removal in solving it.
Conventional methods like afforestation (the process of establishing a forest in an area where there was no forest before) and ecosystem restoration dominate the conversation. These approaches are better known and generally viewed more positively than newer technologies. For example, afforestation was the most frequently mentioned topic and had the highest share of positive tweets.
Novel methods like direct air capture are gaining attention but tend to spark more mixed reactions. While some see these high-tech solutions as innovative, others worry about their feasibility and costs.
Interestingly, the sentiment around most carbon removal methods has become more positive over time. The exception is BECCS (Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage), which has faced growing criticism due to concerns about its environmental and social impacts.
Who’s Talking About Carbon Removal?
The study also examined who is driving these conversations. Twitter users were grouped into three categories: infrequent users, moderate users, and frequent users. Infrequent users posted only once or twice about CDR and focused mainly on conventional methods like tree planting. Frequent users, on the other hand, tended to discuss novel technologies and contributed a significant portion of tweets, though they were more neutral in tone.
Notably, frequent users - who often include experts, scientists, and organizations - had the greatest influence, as their tweets received more likes, retweets, and replies. This suggests that while a small group drives much of the discussion, their voices carry weight in shaping public opinion.
Why Social Media Matters for Climate Action
Social media is more than just a platform for sharing opinions - it’s a tool for amplifying awareness. As tweets about carbon removal grow, they not only reflect public sentiment but also influence broader conversations in the media and policymaking. This makes platforms like Twitter a valuable resource for tracking how perceptions evolve over time.
The findings highlight the importance of engaging with diverse audiences. While experts and organizations play a key role in driving conversations, ensuring that these messages reach and resonate with the wider public is crucial. Awareness campaigns, for example, could focus on explaining novel methods like direct air capture in simple terms to build trust and support.
Looking Ahead
The future of carbon removal depends on public understanding and acceptance. This study offers a hopeful sign: people are paying more attention to these solutions and increasingly seeing them in a positive light. However, challenges remain, especially for newer technologies that may seem complex or controversial.
By analyzing social media, researchers can better understand how public perceptions shift over time and identify areas where more education is needed. As climate change continues to dominate global discussions, ensuring that people are informed and engaged will be vital for scaling up carbon removal efforts.
