14: Using rocks to capture carbon at big scale! Interview with Lithos Co-Founder and CEO, Mary Yap

SustainNOW Podcast - Exploring Climate Solutions with Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Can crushed rocks help fight climate change? In this episode of SustainNow, we talk to Mary Yap, co-founder and CEO of Lithos Carbon, a pioneering company using enhanced rock weathering to capture gigatons of CO₂ while improving soil health.

By spreading basalt rock on farmland, Lithos accelerates a natural process that pulls carbon from the air and locks it into the earth—all while boosting crop yields. With her background in plant biology and geology, Mary is on a mission to turn farmland into powerful carbon capture centers.

In this episode, we dive into:
🪨 How enhanced rock weathering works and why basalt is the key ingredient
🌾 How this method benefits farmers while permanently removing CO₂
📊 How Lithos accurately measures carbon capture using machine learning
🚀 The future of carbon removal and Lithos' five-year vision

If you're excited about nature-based climate solutions and large-scale carbon removal, you don’t want to miss this one!

Capíttulos

1. 14: Using rocks to capture carbon at big scale! Interview with Lithos Co-Founder and CEO, Mary Yap (00:00:00)

2. Could you please introduce yourself in a few sentences? (00:02:07)

3. What was your motivation in the first place to study geology at Yale? (00:03:00)

4. You mentioned that your grandmother also worked in agriculture. Is that something that inspired you as well? (00:04:38)

5. Based on the Wikipedia definition of enhanced weathering, is that what you would say it is or would you frame it differently? (00:08:48)

6. Can you pull us through the whole cycle of enhanced weather? (00:09:54)

7. Do you use probes? (00:12:31)

8. How is the chemical reaction working and how does it differ to taking another stone like Limestone? (00:14:05)

9. How do you accurately measure the carbon captured? (00:18:38)

10. How much percent is getting captured in the soil and how much flows away? (00:21:59)

11. Is there a limitation on the types of crops? (00:23:34)

12. Are there other methods of enhanced weathering? (00:25:58)

13. Can it replace fertilisers or is it more just soil enhancement? (00:28:36)

14. Is there a specific size of the fields or industrialisation level needed? (00:29:50)

15. What is your end goal? (00:33:27)

16. What are the economics behind the method? (00:36:08)

17. How far are you right now in the technological development? (00:38:45)

18. What is your goal in five years? (00:39:49)

19. Do you have a life motto? (00:41:44)

20. Do you have a book recommendation for my audience? (00:43:28)

21. How can people contact you if they want to know more about you & Lithos? (00:45:42)