In one of the most fascinating environmental discoveries of the year, scientists have found that certain fig trees in Kenya can literally turn carbon dioxide into stone. Unlike most plants that simply store carbon in their wood and leaves, these remarkable trees take the process a step further… transforming CO₂ into tiny crystals of calcium carbonate, the same mineral found in limestone and chalk. This means that instead of releasing carbon back into the atmosphere when the tree dies or decays, it remains locked away for centuries in a rock-like form. Researchers from Kenya, Switzerland, Austria, and the U.S. presented this breakthrough at a major science conference in Prague, showing that fig species like Ficus wakefieldii are especially good at this process. Using advanced imaging at Stanford University’s synchrotron lab, they confirmed how deep within the trunk and surrounding soil these mineral “carbon stones” were forming… a hidden treasure of climate protection growing silently in nature.
This process, called the oxalate-carbonate pathway, has been known in some plants before but never deeply studied in fruit trees… making this a groundbreaking discovery. The scientists leading the research, from the University of Zurich and Nairobi Technical University, believe this could change the way we think about tree planting and farming. Imagine a world where fruit trees not only provide food but also capture and trap carbon in stone form… making farms powerful carbon sinks. This discovery could help shape future reforestation and agricultural projects, especially in tropical regions where fig trees thrive. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful climate solutions are already growing right in front of us… we just need to understand how to use them.
