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The greatest challenge of the 21st century is without a doubt climate change. This problem affects everybody, and rightly so, technologies are being developed to have a net emission of zero. However, an often overlooked aspect of this issue is the carbon dioxide that is already in the atmosphere. According to Richard B Rood, a professor at the University of Michigan, even if we stopped emitting all greenhouse gases today, the Earth would continue to warm for at least 40 more years. Enter the Artificial Tree. This synthetic product has the ability to capture and store carbon dioxide directly from the air. In its current state, the Artificial Tree can store 1000 times more carbon dioxide than a tree of the same size. With further optimization, it can reach even greater heights. The UK’s Institution of Mechanical Engineers says that with further investment, artificial trees could see widespread usage as soon as the next decade. As we work towards a greener future, the Artificial Tree can help mitigate the effects of our past mistakes.