On March 18th, Carbon to Sea hosted the third annual ocean-based carbon removal (oCDR) Hill Day, engaging nearly 50 congressional offices to advance awareness and support for responsible oCDR research. This year, we convened 24 participants across 15 organizations and 13 states as well as the District of Columbia to meet with Republican and Democratic Members of Congress and their staff.

“This was a great opportunity to engage directly with Members of Congress and staff on both sides of the aisle to discuss opportunities for Indigenous communities to lead on co-production of oCDR knowledge as well as the potential to accelerate in-water trials,” said Fawn Sharp of the Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission. “We look forward to building off the relationships established with Congressional leaders during Hill Day for continued engagement in the future.”

Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), center, meets with participants in Carbon to Sea’s third annual Hill Day. (Photo by Allison Shelley for Carbon to Sea)

Learn more about oCDR funding in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill →

Our group had the opportunity to meet directly with Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA), sponsors of the ReSCUE Oceans Act — a landmark bill to strengthen American leadership on oCDR research and development.

“Meeting with congressional staff and committee chairs is critical for ensuring that policymakers understand the importance and broader impact of federal investments in mCDR,” said Dr. Alicia Karspeck, CTO of [C]Worthy. “For me, the experience also reinforced the value of stepping outside our usual circles and engaging people on their terms.”

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), second from left, meets with, from left, Priyanka Hooghan of Carbon to Sea, Dr. Alyson Lowell of Georgia Southern University, Fawn Sharp of the Indigenous Greenhouse Gas Removal Commission, and Dr. Alicia Karspeck of [C]Worthy during Carbon to Sea’s third annual Hill Day. (Photo by Allison Shelley for Carbon to Sea)

Learn more about the ReSCUE Oceans Act →

These conversations provided an opportunity to grow bipartisan interest in oCDR solutions on Capitol Hill. This is a core component of Carbon to Sea’s work to build government awareness, establish scientific credibility, and cultivate policy champions for oCDR approaches, such as ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE). We look forward to continuing these conversations with U.S. policymakers and advocating for increased federal investment in oCDR approaches. 

Learn more about Carbon to Sea’s 2026 Hill Day requests →

Participants in Carbon to Sea’s this annual Hill Day walk in between meetings with Members of Congress and their staff. (Photo by Allison Shelley for Carbon to Sea)