Most climate solutions feel like a slow grind of incremental policy tweaks, but Dave Borlace argues that the most potent tool for reversing carbon emissions might be the very organism we often dismiss as "green slime." His piece reframes algae not as a nuisance, but as a biological powerhouse capable of outperforming forests in carbon capture and replacing the fossil fuels that are destroying the climate. For a busy reader seeking tangible hope rather than abstract doom, Borlace offers a compelling case that the solution to our energy crisis may already be floating in our oceans.
The Irony of the Carbon Cycle
Borlace begins by dismantling the common perception of algae, noting that while coastal residents often view it as an annoyance, "that ability to proliferate so rapidly is precisely what made algae one of the most successful organisms ever to exist in nature." He traces a fascinating historical loop: ancient algae absorbed carbon dioxide to create our breathable atmosphere, and when they died, they sank to the seabed, eventually becoming the fossil fuels we are now burning. As Borlace puts it, "it's quite ironic that an organism resulting in a substance that enabled human beings to cause catastrophic changes to our climate might just turn out to be one of the key materials to help us fix the problem."
This framing is effective because it grounds the discussion in deep time, suggesting that the mechanism for our undoing is also the mechanism for our salvation. The data he presents is staggering: "a kilogram of algae absorbs 1.83 kilograms of carbon dioxide every day," meaning a mere 1.2 kilos of algae can match the carbon capture of an entire acre of forest. Borlace emphasizes the efficiency of this process, noting that algae grows ten times faster than land plants and uses a fraction of the water, allowing it to be farmed on non-arable land without competing with food crops.
"You'd only need about 1.2 kilos of algae to equal the carbon capture of an entire acre of forest."
The Scaling Challenge and Corporate Hesitation
The narrative shifts from biological potential to commercial reality, where the story becomes more complicated. Borlace acknowledges that while the science is sound, the execution has been fraught with difficulty. He points out that the industry saw a surge of interest around 2015, with major oil producers like Shell and Chevron partnering with biotech firms, yet the results have been underwhelming. "The trouble is the research and development phase proved to be really very complicated indeed," Borlace writes, explaining that with upwards of 30,000 different types of algae, finding the right strain is a massive undertaking.
He highlights a specific irony in the corporate landscape: while many giants retreated, ExxonMobil has remained committed to the technology through a partnership with Synthetic Genomics. Borlace notes that despite the company's history of climate denial, "they've been working with a private firm called synthetic genomics in southern california to develop a process using crispr gene editing technology to produce an optimized algal strain." However, he tempers optimism with a stark reality check on scale. Even if Exxon hits its goal of 10,000 barrels of algae fuel per day, it pales in comparison to their daily production of 4 million barrels of crude oil.
Critics might note that relying on fossil fuel giants to lead the transition to biofuels creates a conflict of interest that could slow genuine innovation. Borlace hints at this when he mentions environmentalists suggesting "green washing might be going on," but he ultimately leaves the door open for the technology if the economics can be made to work.
Beyond Fuel: Plastics and Protein
Perhaps the most immediate application for algae lies not in fuel, but in materials and food. Borlace details how scientists are using metabolic engineering to create bioplastics that break down in a year, unlike traditional polypropylene which persists for centuries. He writes, "if it did make its way into the ocean then it'd dissolve within a year or so taking its carbon content down to the seabed just like any other algae."
The potential for algae as a food source is equally transformative. Borlace contrasts the carbon footprint of beef production with algae protein, stating, "producing a hundred grams of protein from algae actually removes 320 grams of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere." This is a radical departure from the dystopian vision of "green slime" for breakfast, as modern processing converts algae into dried protein for non-dairy alternatives. Furthermore, he highlights a breakthrough in livestock feed: adding a specific red algae to cattle diets can reduce methane emissions by up to 90%. "Adding just two percent of this red seaweed to the diets of those animals has been shown to reduce their methane emissions by as much as 90%," he notes, a finding that could drastically lower the agricultural sector's carbon output.
The Path to Implementation
The final hurdle is not scientific, but economic and political. Borlace argues that while the technology exists, it requires massive capital and policy support to scale. He points to a 2019 study suggesting that expanding seaweed aquaculture to just 15% of suitable ocean areas could offset all global agricultural emissions. However, he cautions that this would require "extremely careful stewardship to ensure it didn't get out of control and start killing off existing sea life and ecosystems."
The author concludes with a call to action for investors and lawmakers, urging them to "grow some kahunas and speculate some of their billions of hedge fund dollars." He suggests that while algae may not be a silver bullet, it is a critical component of a broader strategy to keep global warming below two degrees. As Borlace summarizes, "targeted industrial scale expansion of seaweed offset farms in high potential regions like asia and the pacific coast of the united states could make a substantial impact on achieving the ipcc goal."
"Perhaps we haven't found the elusive silver bullet to fix the entire climate emergency here but the paper suggests that targeted industrial scale expansion of seaweed offset farms... could make a substantial impact."
Bottom Line
Dave Borlace's strongest argument is the sheer biological efficiency of algae, which offers a carbon-negative alternative to both fossil fuels and traditional agriculture. The piece's biggest vulnerability lies in the gap between laboratory success and industrial scalability, particularly given the historical reluctance of the private sector to fund long-term, high-risk climate solutions without guaranteed returns. Readers should watch for the next phase of government incentives, as the technology is ready, but the economic engine to drive it is still idling.