What a great idea! Sounds like something Dick Cheney might think of. Get rid of CO2 by reducing it to CO. Which is, of course, a deadly poison. Then you oxidise the CO back to CO2. Net reduction of atmospheric CO2? = 0. Brilliant! But CO is hard to burn so some escapes. And we breathe it. Dunb. dumber than ethanol. Maybe even dumber than nuclear energy.

What's wrong with simply using the sun's energy more directly as in photovoltaic arrays and wind turbines? These are existing technologies which would provide a large reduction in fossil fuel consumption hence in CO2 production. And, if we get started right away, would provide it soon enough to avoid the most disastrous effects of global warming,

It is sad that so little of the present hype on solar energy is directed toward solar water and air heating. They are both 5-15 times as efficent as photovoltaic (solar electricity)and 5-10 times cheaper. They get no hype because there is no "Big bucks" in making solar water heating panels.
If there was any real desire to reduce oil/gas consumption, these methods would be at the top of the list.

It is sad how little understanding there is in the media, and by the public, about the laws of physics. Energy and matter are not the same things. It takes energy to do work, like moving your tired butt around in your car. But it also takes energy to convert matter into different things. It takes more energy to convert CO2 than you will get back/ Plants do not use CO2 for fuel; it is only the energy from light which can do the work of changing the state of matter, splitting off the O from the H2 of water and combing it with the C from the CO2 to make hydrocarbons. It is the sunlight providing the energy for the process. The CO2 is not turned into energy.
This is nonsense.

I'm sure that Branson's heart is in the right place (making money), but doesn't it seem kind of silly to be trying to come up with an artificial solution that will, if anything, only approach and approximate the performance and results achieved by living, growing (and nearly cost-free) plants? Seems to me we could do this much more cheaply, quickly, effectively and efficiently by planting forests. Say, how about we stop slashing the rainforests that are left while we're at it? My guess is the reason has to do with that one phrase "commercially viable." Am I the only one who thinks that creating a commerce in carbon removal will act as a stimulus for carbon creation?

Now let me see this is going to take some thinking....What we need is something that will turn CO2 into fuel. Something for instance like..... TREE'S great they suck up CO2 also they provide valuble building material as an alternative to using cement which in its self create's a huge carbon footprint.Please send the cheque payable to B.Peace

To: Richard Branson,
The Virgin Earth Challenge

Dear Sir,

My name is Edwin Anthony Catanach, from Santa Fe, New Mexico U.S.A. Santa Fe is located between two very important National Laboratories, 30 miles north of us is Los Alamos the "Atomic City," and a hour drive south is Albuquerque, home to Sandia National Laboratory. I mention this to you sir, because most people here tend to think that the answers to "Global-Warming,” should come from with-in these institutions abilities… (after all the money and the resources are readily available). “Lets leave it to the experts to figure this out,”… seems to be the normal thinking . We want to believe that if these scientist, are smart enough to build the "Nuclear-Bomb,” then they must also be smart enough to solve "Global-Warming."

My belief is, that these institutions have become just too big, where no one is really working together. My approach has been to think... (Small & simple)..., such is the case in my discovery of what I like to call..."simply perfection." By applying what is in the simple, but "ingenious mechanics" of a child’s toy, and working with the elements of what mother-nature has already provided us with, when combined together, it solves the $25 million dollar question. I’m sorry, I have to carefully choose my words when writing this letter to you, I don't want to reveal to much information until my paper work is completed concerning my patents. For the little guys such as my-self, legal issues and patents are very discouraging, and it does cost a lot of money (up front), truly it can take years and years of bureaucrat nonsense. In the mean time, sadly to say...we the human race....stay stuck swimming in our own self created cess-pool...global warming is a ticking time BOMB...!
Winning your contest sir, would be wonderful and fantastic for someone like myself, to be able to launch my invention into production, that's all I think about. Global-Warming needs immediate emergency attention, what I have invented, is a generator (if you will) that produces all the FREE electricity, we can ever imagine using...! Yes, and without ever again burning fossil fuel (ZERO POLLUTION), no longer will we be polluting the air. What better way to take out pollution from the atmosphere, then to...not put it out..., in the first place... right? Battery cars will replace gas cars. Think about that Mr. Branson, it’s a time-less machine that runs on its own mechanisms...forever. This new tech will no doubt launch man kind into a whole new age. Just like Global-Warming, is a reality, so is...? "Perpetual-motion...” a reality...! Is this something that you would be interested in? I guess my question to you Mr. Branson is, would you be interested in being my partner...thus....winning your own contest...? I can only say one thing for certain, the prize money would be put back into the company. The world needs people like us, the fuse on the bomb is only getting shorter.

Interesting enough Mr. Branson, long before I read about your contest, I had already decided to myself, that I would take my invention to the people. I'm willing to challenge anyone who could prove me otherwise,…claiming… that they are the inventors. I would start small, I would ( build, install,& sell) on a one to one bases. I'm looking for people who believe, and know a good thing when they see one.. and yes..seeing is believing. I need people who want to jump on the band-wagon, (freely and willingly) investing into the greatest invention since the beginning of man kind.....truly...!!!! By the way Mr. Branson, I plan on naming my company...N.C.S...which stands for (NESSESITY-CREATES-SOLUTIONS). If you and I could sit down with your lawyer and my lawyer, perhaps we could by pass the slow progress that the little man faces alone. It would be wonderful to cut through all the paper chase, and hopefully get to the heart of the matter...!?!?

Let’s talk business, I'm sure everyone can come out a winner. Believe it or not Mr. Branson, not only have I solved air pollution, but water pollution as well. These are two uniquely separate inventions that can... (and will)...CURE....the earth, (there is still time) with the right people all working together. You see Mr. Branson, when I walk down the street, and I see homeless and unemployed people... I don't think of them as bums or losers... I see them as an "incredible work force"...wasting away. When yet the fact is, we physically need to have… (Hands on)… involvement in cleaning up this planet....are we not the care takers of the virgin earth? We have to help the world (to help itself), like a cut on the body we have to help nurse mother earth back to health. Mother Nature can heal herself....if....we make these changes ....a major necessity....!?!?!?

You will hear people say that there is no easy over night answer...but....I know they're wrong, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, I’m sure we could have one up and running (for the single family home) with-in a few short weeks, In fact you could be the first kid on the block to have one, that's the beauty of thinking small and simple. The total cost for (labor and materials) would be thirty thousand dollars, not bad for a life time of free electricity. Between the gas for my car and my home utility bills right now, I would have to say I spend that kind of money in a year… already, in other words, I'm doing my share of pollution every day...!?!?!? It can "DRIVE" you crazy or drive you to solutions...? The real excitement in my inventions, is the....IN PACT....it will have on the whole world ecomeny, every industry from housing to transportation to heating and air conditioning will benefit greatly. The free world...will truly be free...never again being held hostage to oil nations.

In my opinion, for national security reasons alone, I feel it's only right, that England and the United States be the first to benefit from this new tech. It will give us the upper strength when dealing with other nations. Perhaps it’s manifest destiny that we should be the leaders in saving the world, wars and poverty will someday be a thing of the past, just like fossil fuel will be a thing of pass. I see it as... "manna"... from heaven a gift from God. What amazes me is that, because I started with thinking (small and simple) a single family home can have these inventions installed, allowing the owners to sell electricity & water back to the utility company, once It pays itself off.... the owner will make a profit. On a larger scale, the infrastructure is already in place, it's just a matter of modifying what currently exist. My set back is always money, but a person like yourself sir, the sky really is the limit, not to mention the fact that your investment would come back to you a hundred fold-plus some...!?!?!?

I must say this Mr. Branson...IF...I had to win your contest by (for lack of better words)..."cleaning the toilet"... since we are never going to stop using it...attitude...???? I'm sure I have the answer for that also. I'll say this with urgency sir, this… new tech… can be used right now to put out forest fires. It could be up and running, with in hours, after you get my letter...truely that fast ! It might solve the problem of hurracanes, before they can get started. It will definetly be the answer to droughts, and yes in the long run, it will help clean up a hundred years of industrial pollution. I think we can even reverse the polar caps from melting. I believe, this tech will also make Virgin Air lines world dominant and the largest water company in the world, (desert waste lands) will be agricultural wonders..! What once was just a silly cartoon show "the Jettsons," will soon become a reality on how people travel. The fun part is it will happen in our life time,but the best part is...we are giving our children, and thier children’s, children’s, children’s.....and beyond a future, long live the QUEEN....!!!!

Before I finish my letter just a few words about myself, I'm married and have two sons. I’ve been a builder for 35 years. My wife owns a small (vending-cart) her business name is Venus de Milo. Currently I'm working here in Santa Fe, for a architect. For my own protection, I have sent through the mail a certified letter with (copies of my blue prints) back to myself...patent pending. My mailing address is; Edwin and Lorie Garcia-Catanach, P.O. Box 114 Santa Fe New Mexico 87504-011, my phone number is....1-505-903-1988. If you’re serious about saving the planet Mr. Branson...than...I'M YOUR YANKIE DOODLE MAN...!?! I hope to hear from you soon.

Thank you,
Edwin A. Catanach

____________________________________

Nice. Burning the created fuel would be carbon neutral. Or it can be stored to help reduce atmospheric CO2 (and N?).

This can fill the gap until hydrogen sponges are common.