Nobel laureate in conversation: 'You could save the world'

Nobel Prize-winning chemist Benjamin List has expressed optimism about the potential of a groundbreaking technology that could help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Speaking during a recent gathering of Nobel laureates in Lindau on Lake Constance, List outlined his vision for a process that would split CO₂ into oxygen and carbon using sunlight and catalytic methods. He called this concept “solar coal” and suggested that, if realized, it could potentially “save the world, at least as long as the sun shines.” List acknowledged that while artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and nuclear fusion dominate current discussions about future technologies, he believes his approach holds comparable promise. The scientist emphasized that although nuclear fusion research has attracted vast funding and public attention, his idea, though less widely discussed, could have similar chances of becoming reality within a foreseeable timeframe. The idea of extracting CO₂ from the air and converting it into usable materials has been a topic of interest among scientists for years. However, List noted that such efforts have largely remained theoretical due to technical challenges and scale limitations. “We chemists operate at the level of millions of tons,” he explained. “To make a meaningful impact on climate change, we need to increase that by a factor of 1,000.” This would require global collaboration and massive investment, he added, though he described the task as “difficult, but not impossible.” List’s confidence stems partly from observing how plants and algae naturally utilize CO₂ through photosynthesis. Globally, over 100 billion tons of plant material are produced annually from atmospheric CO₂ and water. This process begins in spring and ends in autumn when leaves fall and decompose, releasing CO₂ back into the atmosphere. While the cycle is natural, it demonstrates that large-scale removal of CO₂ is feasible. Despite his enthusiasm, List cautioned against overestimating the role of artificial intelligence in advancing scientific breakthroughs. While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI, he pointed out its current limitations, particularly in areas like data accuracy and reliability. “We all know how chatbots can mislead us with fabricated references,” he remarked. “In science, nothing is more despised than incorrect citations or page numbers.” When asked about Google's AlphaFold, which was awarded the Chemistry Nobel Prize in 2024 for predicting protein structures, List praised the achievement. He credited the success to decades of accumulated biological and chemical data, upon which AI algorithms were built. “Their work was absolutely Nobel-worthy,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean that all scientific problems can be solved by AI alone.” While expressing skepticism about AI’s ability to solve every challenge, List confirmed that he is incorporating AI into his research team based in Japan. He stressed the importance of staying current with technological advancements, noting that a revolution in scientific methodology is underway. “I don’t want to be left behind simply because I’m too traditional,” he said. List’s remarks come amid growing global concern over climate change and the urgent need for innovative solutions. His proposed method of capturing and transforming CO₂ represents one of many approaches being explored by researchers worldwide. Whether it becomes viable depends on overcoming both technical hurdles and securing sufficient resources for large-scale implementation. As part of his ongoing research, List continues to collaborate with teams across different disciplines, emphasizing the necessity of interdisciplinary cooperation in tackling complex environmental issues. His work highlights the intersection of chemistry, biology, and emerging technologies in the pursuit of sustainable energy and climate mitigation strategies. The scientist’s ideas align with broader international efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing carbon capture technologies. Governments and private entities are increasingly investing in projects that seek to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere, reflecting a shift toward more proactive climate action. As these initiatives progress, the feasibility of concepts like solar coal will become clearer, offering new hope for addressing one of humanity’s greatest challenges.