Lancashire businessman to present green ideas to MIT

A Preston businessman has made the semi-finals of a global competition to find solutions to world problems.

This month, Mark Everson, production director of Lifeline Language Services, learned that his idea for “Hydroponic Carbon Capture At Source” (HCCAS) has made semi-finalist in this global search for solutions. The proposal uses industrial carbon dioxide emissions to grow plants hydroponically in an accelerated high-density soilless environment, for food or biomass.

Mark said: “It’s great using my expertise in our technical translation and systems here at Lifeline Language Services, but as a side-line I like to play with ideas for helping the planet. In 2014 I came up with the HCCAS concept, did some research and discussion with the IET (my professional Institute) which was favourable, and set up a little website.

“However, this year, on the third day of our holiday cruise, I received an email from MIT saying my 2014 entry had been selected, as an 'exemplary' approach to carbon removal, for their new Solve program which has the stated mission to 'discover, evaluate, and advance solutions to global problems or challenges.'