Have you ever noticed how sunlight streaming through your window reveals tiny dust particles floating in the air?
Most of the time, we don’t see them—but they’re there, accumulating day by day. The same is true for carbon dioxide (CO₂) in our atmosphere. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there. And just like dust, CO₂ builds up over time, creating problems we can’t ignore.
CO₂ levels have been rising for centuries. When Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492, atmospheric CO₂ was at 280 parts per million (ppm). By the first modern Olympics in 1896, it had crept up to 295 ppm. When The Beatles formed in 1960, we reached 315 ppm. Today, we’re at over 420 ppm—higher than at any point in human history.
(Source: Clever Carbon)
The silent buildup
Think about your home. You don’t wait until it’s completely covered in dust before cleaning, right? Instead, you wipe surfaces and vacuum regularly to prevent buildup. Our atmosphere needs the same care.
We don’t notice CO₂ accumulating day by day, but we feel its effects: rising temperatures, extreme weather, and disrupted ecosystems. Just like a thin layer of dust on a shelf, it may not seem urgent at first. But over time, the consequences become impossible to ignore. Reducing emissions is like preventing dust from settling, but we also need to clean up what’s already there.
Air purifier for the planet
Spring cleaning feels great—it refreshes our homes and gives us a fresh start. Our atmosphere needs its own version of spring cleaning, but we can’t afford to wait for a specific season. The best time to act is now.
From simple brooms to high-tech vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, different needs call for different tools. Carbon removal is following the same path. Nature helps, acting like a dust cloth, with forests and soils capturing CO₂. But we also need engineered carbon removal technology including Direct Air Capture—like a vacuum cleaner for the planet—to permanently remove CO₂ from our atmosphere.
The Pioneers making a difference
For many, carbon removal is deeply personal:
Maiko from Japan: “As a mother, I purchase Climeworks carbon removal to give my child an eternal gift.”
Matthew from Switzerland: “Reducing consumption is important, but carbon removal MUST be part of the solution too.”
Jeff from Canada: “I wanted to neutralize my [remaining] flight emissions with something science-backed and permanent. Climeworks is where it’s at.”
We can’t afford to wait
2023 was the hottest year on record—until 2024 broke that record. Cleaning up our atmosphere requires innovation, dedication, and collective action. Andrea from Belgium sums it up perfectly: “By gifting a Climeworks carbon removal certificate, you can raise awareness and take real action for long-term carbon sequestration.”
Join the Climeworks Pioneers
Our atmospheric home needs more than just maintenance—it needs committed caretakers. Every day we act is a day closer to a cleaner, healthier future.
Join the Climeworks Pioneers today
Help clean up our invisible mess.