EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Jul 30·5 min read
So you want to use plants to reduce CO₂
TL;DR
Using plants to absorb carbon dioxide and improve cognition is theoretically possible, but practically challenging. Each person produces about 1 kilogram of CO₂ daily, requiring significant plant energy for conversion.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider incorporating more plants in your workspace to potentially improve air quality and cognitive function.
Key Takeaways
- Humans produce about 1 kg of CO₂ daily.
- Plants require significant energy for photosynthesis.
- 4.6 kg of plant mass is needed daily to sequester CO₂.
- Living with high energy light sources is impractical.
How It Works
Plants convert CO₂ into oxygen through photosynthesis, requiring energy from light. The process involves absorbing photons to drive chemical reactions that produce glucose and oxygen.
However, real plants have limitations in efficiency and photon absorption, necessitating substantial energy input.
⚠ The Catch
To effectively sequester the CO₂ produced by a person, an impractical amount of plant mass and energy is required, making it unfeasible for typical home use.