Location: South Africa, Western Cape, Cape Town, Somerset West
Credit: Dr. Itani Given Madiba, Dr. Mahmoud Akbari, Mrs. Shiva Shaflei, Ms. Erna Ngounou, Ms. Ayalar Shams, Dr. Razieh Morad and Prof. Malik Maaza
Initiative: Belmont Forum CRAs (CEH 2019)
Project: Short Name: ACCENTS-4-CO2. Title: CO2 footprint reduction & CO2 conversion to green bio-engineered carbonates for multi-functional applications in the WaterEnergy-Food-Health Nexus.
Story: In South Africa’s Cango Caves near Oudtshoorn, vast calcium carbonate formations reveal one of nature’s oldest carbon stories: water, minerals, and dissolved carbon slowly transformed into stone over geological time. This image brings that natural process into conversation with the ACCENTS-4-CO2 project, where researchers are reimagining carbonate formation through green chemistry.
In the foreground, plant leaves, natural extract, water, and carbonate powder represent a low-energy pathway for converting CO2 into bio-engineered multifunctional carbonates. In the background, the cave image reminds us that carbonate minerals are part of Earth’s long carbon cycle, not only laboratory products.
ACCENTS-4-CO2 connects climate action with materials science, chemistry, agriculture, water security, energy, health, education, and public engagement. By using natural extracts and mild processing conditions, the project seeks to transform CO2 from an environmental burden into useful materials for the Water-Energy-Food-Health Nexus, including nano-fertilizers, water-related climate technologies, solar-energy materials, and drug-carrier platforms.