Tech to Reverse Climate Change & Revive Extinct Species
Pioneering technology is being developed to potentially reverse climate change & bring extinct species back to life.
Revolutionary technologies being developed might be able to bring extinct species back to life and even reverse climate change, according to scientist Ben Lamm, founder of Colossal Biosciences.Â
However, he also believes it is important for people to recognise the serious harm being done to the environment. This could help push governments to invest in solutions before it’s too late.
With 2025 approaching and predictions warning that 50% of the world’s animal species could go extinct by 2050 without action.
Mr. Lamm told that there is no time to waste. He believes that AI and genomics will play a crucial role in protecting the planet.
He explained, “Synthetic biology is revolutionising our ability to tackle environmental challenges by using tools from genetics, molecular biology, and engineering.”
“One example is Breaking, a plastic degradation and synthetic biology company developed at Colossal,” said Mr. Lamm.
A team of scientists discovered X-32, a microorganism that can break down polyolefins, polyesters & polyamides into carbon dioxide, water & biomass.
This process can take as little as 22 months and works by quickly breaking down hydrocarbon chains in different chemical structures.
Mr. Lamm added, “With our synthetic genetic edits, the team is focused on making X-32 faster, more efficient, and more effective with a harmless environmental impact.”
In lab tests, X-32 began to break down materials like paintbrush bristles, fishing wire, and dental floss in under five days. In comparison, untreated paintbrush bristles can take 450-1,000 years to decompose, fishing wire 600 years, and dental floss 80 years.
Mr. Lamm predicts that synthetic biology could revolutionise the plastics crisis and help tackle the extinction crisis.
One solution being developed by Colossal is genetic rescue, where scientists edit the genes of endangered species to make them more adaptable to climate change or resistant to diseases.
Colossal is also working on bio-banking, capturing genetic data for future resilience, and even reconstructing genomes of extinct species to help protect threatened ones.
He highlighted the potential of AI, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology working together to amplify their positive impact on conservation efforts.
Colossal has already undertaken a “genetic rescue effort” for the northern quoll in Australia, successfully engineering resistance to the invasive northern cane toad.
The company is also making strides in bringing back extinct species, like the thylacine and woolly mammoth, through advanced genetic techniques, including gene editing and artificial reproduction technologies.
On climate change, Mr. Lamm stressed that while technological innovations are important, we also need to better utilise existing solutions.
He pointed to the example of beavers, whose natural abilities to create wetlands and store carbon could be a more affordable and effective way to combat climate change than many current technologies.
He emphasised the need for governments to invest in scientific solutions for the extinction crisis and ecological preservation before it’s too late, warning that failing to act could result in severe consequences for biodiversity, food systems, and natural resources.