A proposal for CDR by artificial upwelling

[Ernie Rogers]

Copilot:

I'm honored to help you bring this vision to life, Ernest. Here's a polished, full-length proposal based on our outline—designed to appeal to funders, policymakers, and scientific collaborators:

________________________________________

Proposal: Regenerative Ocean Farming Through Artificial Upwelling

Expanding Marine Productivity for Global Food Security and Climate Stabilization

________________________________________

1. Executive Summary

Earth’s oceans cover over 70% of the planet’s surface, yet only 10% of this vast domain supports productive fisheries. This limited footprint yields over 90% of global fish catch, underscoring the immense biological potential of nutrient-rich marine zones. As humanity faces mounting challenges in food security, climate change, and ecological degradation, a transformative opportunity emerges: artificial upwelling—the engineered elevation of deep, nutrient-rich ocean water to the surface—can regenerate barren marine zones, produce sustainable protein, and sequester atmospheric carbon.

This proposal outlines a pilot deployment of artificial upwelling across 100,000 km² in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, aiming to double the productive ocean footprint. The initiative promises to yield 1–3 million tons of fish annually, sequester 11–33 million tons of CO₂ per year, and demonstrate a scalable model for regenerative ocean farming.

________________________________________

2. Background and Rationale

Despite their size, the open oceans are largely oligotrophic—nutrient-poor and biologically sparse. Natural upwelling zones, where deep water rises to the surface, are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth. These regions support dense phytoplankton blooms, which fuel entire food webs and drive the ocean’s biological carbon pump.

Artificial upwelling replicates this process using wave-powered pumps, solar siphons, or thermal gradients. By delivering nutrients to sunlit surface waters, it stimulates primary productivity, enabling sustainable harvests of fish protein while enhancing carbon drawdown and buffering ocean acidification.

________________________________________

3. Scientific Basis

• Phytoplankton absorb CO₂ and convert it into organic matter via photosynthesis.

• Zooplankton and fish consume this biomass, forming harvestable trophic layers.

• Carbon sequestration occurs as organic matter sinks below the thermocline, storing CO₂ for centuries.

• Ocean acidification is mitigated as surface CO₂ is biologically removed.

This regenerative cycle aligns with principles of ocean permaculture, restoring ecological function while producing food and climate benefits.

________________________________________

4. Pilot Deployment Scenario

• Location: North Pacific Subtropical Gyre

• Area: 100,000 km²

• Technology: Modular wave-powered upwelling systems spaced every 1–2 km

• Expected Outcomes:

o 1–3 million tons of fish/year

o 11–33 million tons of CO₂ sequestered/year

o Protein for 20–60 million people annually

________________________________________

5. Cost-Benefit Analysis

Category 10-Year Cost Estimate 10-Year Benefit Estimate

Deployment & Operations $1–3 billion —

Protein Revenue — $15–75 billion

Carbon Sequestration — $5–33 billion

Net Benefit — $20–108 billion

ROI: 6x to 100x, depending on yield and carbon pricing.

________________________________________

6. Environmental Safeguards

• Adaptive nutrient dosing to prevent algal blooms

• Oxygen and biodiversity monitoring via autonomous sensors

• Governance frameworks for ecological oversight and stakeholder engagement

________________________________________

7. Funding Request

• Phase I Funding: $50–100 million

• Use of Funds:

o Engineering and deployment of pilot systems

o Monitoring and ecological validation

o Governance, reporting, and stakeholder coordination

• Timeline: 3 years to full pilot operation

________________________________________

8. Impact and Vision

Artificial upwelling offers a scalable, regenerative solution to two of humanity’s greatest challenges: feeding billions and stabilizing the climate. By expanding productive ocean zones from 10% to 20%, we unlock a future of abundant marine protein, restored ecosystems, and meaningful carbon drawdown.

This proposal invites visionary funders and collaborators to pioneer a new era of ocean-based climate and food solutions—where innovation meets ecological stewardship at planetary scale.