Canadian scientists are developing super algae that can be used to clean up greenhouse gasses.

The National Research Council is focusing on making algae the cornerstone of Canada's efforts to reduce the country's greenhouse gases emissions. John McDougall, president of the council has long been a proponent of the impact of algae in reducing the country's carbon imprint. Algae have the potential to reduce millions of tonnes of carbon emissions a year.

"If it works, you're looking perhaps at as much as 15 to 20 per cent of carbon dioxide could be dealt with," McDougall told the Vancouver Sun.

Scientists are now looking for carbon hungry algae from creeks and ponds all over the country. Algae have enormous potential as a source of renewable energy. It only needs carbon dioxide, sun and water to flourish. Algae can live in non-arable land or in dirty water and more importantly it eats carbon dioxide and is a source of biofuel that can be refined into anything that petroleum can be refined into.

The challenge is in growing enough algae that it can significantly make a dent in carbon emissions. McDougall admits there are challenges in mass-producing the fast growing "super slime" described in the NRC report. It could take $50 to $100 million to develop algae into a carbon catcher. David Layzell, executive director of the Energy and Environmental Systems Group at the University of Calgary also points out that Canada's climate could work against growing algae on a commercial scale.

McDougall believes that Canada will benefit from looking into algae systems. Algae can be bolted on existing power stations and eat up the carbon dioxide to generate oils and compounds that can be used for biofuels.

NRC researchers are already looking for hardy algae that can survive working in industries with large volumes of CO2. Patrick McGinn, a researcher for NRC and algae specialist says some strains of algae can eat four times the carbon dioxide than other strains of algae. The team has about 100 strains in their collection that they are testing in bioreactors.

Canada and other countries will converge in Durban, South Africa for another round of global climate talks. Canada is reportedly planning to withdraw from the Kyoto protocol, an agreement among three dozen industrial nations to reduce emissions, since the nation is unlikely to meet its commitment in the original agreement.