We recently shared how an innovative playground in Poland uses algae to capture CO2 and create a safer play space for children. Now, that same concept has traveled to the COP26 climate conference where it is gaining international attention in the form of a children’s bounce house.
At first glance, the bounce house looks like any other you would find at a fair or children’s birthday party, but what sets this clear version apart is that it is home to microscopic algae which get bounced around by the moving children to feed on carbon and minerals in the air. The more kids bounce, the more CO2 is absorbed.
The algae then turn this CO2 into biomass which can be used for nutrients or biomaterials. Although the technology takes a playful form in this case study, Ecologicstudio researcher Marco Poletto explains that it could be incorporated into other infrastructure elements as well to capture emissions and reduce air pollution. One Eastbank Primary student who tested out the bounce house said, “I really like this and I would love to have it in our playground.”
Image source: Ecologicstudio
