Running Tide: Returning to the Sea

Our oceans, the cradle of life, have long borne the brunt of our ambitions, serving as both a resource depot and a dumping ground. Yet, in the face of escalating climate challenges, it's time to transcend this paradigm of extraction versus conservation. Running Tide is at the forefront, charting a course towards a profound symbiosis with our oceans. By delving into the ocean's depths and intricacies like never before, Running Tide is not just confronting the climate crisis; it's redefining our interaction with the vast blue, turning the tide towards a future of harmony and sustainability.

The Problem: Too Much Carbon

For decades, we have set ambitious climate goals. But the skill we have shown in goalpost-shuffling has never translated into the actions needed to hit those goals. Now we stand at the precipice of ecological upheaval, and the stark reality of our lagging decarbonization efforts casts a long shadow over our aspirations for a sustainable future. It is abundantly clear that simply decarbonizing our economies will not be enough to avoid the “tipping points” that will send us to climate disaster, each one, such as the rapid deterioration of the Greenland ice sheet, exacerbating other issues by creating run-on effects. That’s why achieving the goals we have set is important, each time we miss one, the runaway train of climate instability speeds up, making it exponentially harder to stop.

We have long focused on decarbonization, things like renewable energy that lower our future emissions. However, it is clear that we cannot only look to what we are going to do in the future, we must address the excess carbon already in our atmosphere. Our climate response cannot just be about decreasing emissions, it must also integrate carbon removal. This should not be thought of as some separate venture, it is an important part of our decarbonization efforts. Incremental approaches will not cut it anymore. We must strive for innovative and impactful solutions.

Their Solution: Make It Slow

The process of carbon removal is best understood through the lens of the carbon cycle, or, more precisely, the carbon cycles. The planet has two carbon cycles, a slow one and a fast one. The fast one is what likely pops into your head when you think about the carbon cycle, this the carbon in the atmosphere and ecosphere, the stuff on the surface. The slow carbon cycle is the carbon that is locked away, deposited fossil fuels or carbon deep in the ocean. Our problem is that we have moved too much carbon from the slow cycle to the fast cycle, and carbon removal is the reversal of that process. Running Tide has delivered an innovative and exciting method to do just that.

Many carbon capture solutions are somewhat fantastical, often involving technology to take it directly out of the atmosphere that is decades away from being scalable. Running Tide’s solution is much more elegant. At the heart of their strategy lies the innovative concept of Carbon Buoys, meticulously engineered to capitalize on the ocean's natural carbon sequestration mechanisms. These buoys, built out of sustainably sourced materials, support the growth of kelp, a potent natural carbon sink, which, upon reaching maturity, is sent to the ocean depths, sequestering the carbon away from the atmosphere.

Running Tide goes to great lengths to ensure that their process is conducted thoughtfully. With a sophisticated approach to ocean science and partnerships with excellent institutions, Running Tide makes sure that their carbon captures promote biodiversity and improves ecosystems. They understand that treating the ocean as a dumping ground is the sort of attitude that got us into this situation in the first place. Transforming our relationship with the ocean into a mutually beneficial partnership, a beautiful solution and a great direction for our future.

What makes Running Tide a No Brainer?

Successful companies have a “No-Brainer” quality about them: whatever product or service they offer feels as if it would be unreasonable to not use. Great companies have this quality doubly from both the customer side and the labor side: being a part of the company should also feel like a no-brainer.

The carbon credit industry is fraught with issues. With difficulty verifying them is common, and there are concerns about their permanence (how long the capture lasts) and additionality (if they actually capture carbon that wouldn’t be otherwise). This means that using them to offset emissions does not have the promised benefit and can be seen as meek attempts to greenwash. Any company that is serious about its commitment to the environment must use carbon credits that hold up to scrutiny. Running Tide’s removal credits certainly do this, and beyond that their innovative and ambitious approach reflects favorably on any company associated with them.

For those considering a career with Running Tide, the allure is palpable. It's a place where innovation is the norm, challenges are embraced with zeal, and the mission is nothing short of monumental. The opportunity to be part of a team that is not just addressing climate change but trying to redefine our relationship with the ocean is invigorating. They are already setting the standard in the carbon capture space and have some massive customers such as Microsoft and Shopify. Working with a startup that is already succeeding should be extremely exciting.

Running Tide's work in the ocean is not just about removing carbon but creating a sustainable and harmonious relationship between humanity and the marine environment. Their innovative approach signifies a transformative shift, redefining the traditional interaction with our oceans and setting a course towards a future of collective progress and environmental stewardship. With their vision, the journey with the ocean is not just about navigating challenges but about crafting a legacy of balance, innovation, and profound ecological care.

Sources: Running Tide