Can a decentralized network of volunteers accelerate climate tech? OpenAir Collective proves it can. It is the first fully volunteer-led global network dedicated to advancing Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) through open-source “missions,” citizen R&D, and policy advocacy.
The Distributed Missions Model
Unlike traditional NGOs, OpenAir operates as a decentralized collective. Members propose and lead specific “Missions” in R&D, policy, or activism. Their philosophy is “For the collector, by the collector,” empowering everyday citizens to become key players in the CDR industry.
“Maker” Innovation & Open Hardware
OpenAir applies the open-source software ethos to climate hardware. A standout example is the Epiphyte mission:
- A collaborative project to build a miniature, open-source Direct Air Capture (DAC) unit.
- The goal isn’t immediate industrialization, but to democratize technical knowledge so students and engineers worldwide can iterate and improve the technology without intellectual property barriers.
Citizen Lobbying: Changing Laws
The collective has shown that citizen activism is a technological tool in itself. They have been instrumental in drafting and pushing for pioneering legislation such as:
- The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act (CDRLA): In New York and Massachusetts, pushing state governments to procure carbon removal services, thereby creating a vital early market.
- L-NET (Luxembourg): A proposal to create negative emission tariffs in Europe.
Education & Fighting Misinformation
Through missions like CDReality and their “This Is CDR” webinar series, the collective works to correct myths about carbon removal, ensuring the public and policymakers understand the critical difference between an “excuse to pollute” and a “necessary solution for historical legacy.”
