Go Bluebird

It's good to know we have options...

Brenton: We have the technology

Earlier this month, former British diplomat Tony Brenton wrote an article for the Times Online in which he discusses the ineptitude of international bodies in making the institutional changes necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. His insights into the higher levels of climate change negotiations are valuable, an his evaluation of them clear – our current approach is failing.

Because of this, and because of the ability of individual nations to obtain the required technology, Brenton argues that the UN, G20 and other international bodies should begin considering the implications of geoengineering projects. 

The theme of Brenton's argument is ominous - and while he does not justify his belief that international authorities could succeed in governing such technology (when they have otherwise failed to create clear international guidelines in other areas), his call for bold action against climate change is surely one worth heeding.

An open letter to Rajendra Pachauri

In this open letter to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chairman Rajendra Pachauri, John Nissen argues that dangerous miscalculations of future Arctic sea ice melt by the IPCC justifies a declaration of emergency at upcoming meetings of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany.

Nissen provides records of recent Arctic ice sheet retreat and projections to show that, at current rates, summer Arctic sea ice could disappear altogether by 2013. Such dramatic melting would result in methane discharge, ice sheet disintegration and a reduction in albedo in areas usually covered by snow - thereby further increasing the rate of warming.

Even if these projections do not prove accurate, current Arctic ice melting rates are concerning enough to justify immediate action, including the rollout out of geoengineering projects to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. Nissen's call for governments to provide 'the necessary funding and logistics for implementation of one or more proposals' is perhaps misguided. The question must be asked - if governments and multilateral institutions have have yet to display the discipline to deliver emissions cuts, how can they then be trusted to carry out co-ordinated and effective geoengineering projects?

 

 

Solutions for the Planet: Biochar

The earth naturally absorbs about 18 times the amount of carbon emitted by mankind each year. The problem is, 99.9% of this carbon is subsequently re-released to the atmosphere through decomposition. This carbon 'open circuit' can be closed by a process known as pyrolysis. In this process, heated biomass undergoes chemical decomposition, locking down its CO2 in a substance known as biochar.

Biochar has the added benefit of being an effective and ecologically sound crop fertiliser – its production being known and practiced by pre-Columbian Amazonian natives. Apart from this, biochar can also be utilised in energy production, and can even be used as a dietary supplement for animals. 

Carbon sequestration has the potential to lock down atmospheric CO2 for thousands of years. If a real commitment were made, massive reductions in atmospheric carbon could be achieved - locking down carbon emissions and increasing the wealth of our soils. In conjunction with other geoengineering projects, biochar may truly hold the key to saving our earth from climate catastrophe.

The Promise of Biochar: Part One of Two. Produced by the International Biochar Initiative

The Guardian, March 2009 – James Lovelock on biochar: Let the Earth remove CO2 for us

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/mar/24/biochar-earth-c02

CSIRO – Biochar fact sheet

http://www.csiro.au/resources/Biochar-Factsheet.html

Solutions for the Planet: Pipes in the Ocean

British scientist James Lovelock and London Science Museum director Chris Rapley's planet saving proposal involves encouraging phytoplankton growth in order to lock down atmospheric CO2. Tens of thousands of wave-powered ocean pipes fitted with one-way valves would circulate ocean waters, forcing nutrient-rich water to the surface and stimulating algal growth.  

While removing carbon from the atmosphere, algal growths have the added benefit of producing dimethyl sulfide, which stimulates the production of light reflecting clouds. This two-pronged global cooling measure would result in a steady reduction in global temperatures, helping to create a safe and stable world environment for our future generations.

 

 

New Scientist, Sep 2007 – Ocean pumps could counter global warming

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn12698-ocean-pumps-could-counter-global-warming.html

Solutions for the Planet: Painting our World White

Hashem Akbari's plan for cooling the planet is as simple as it is elegant. By resurfacing roofs and roads with white materials, Akbari calculates that the earth's overall albedo could be increased, causing solar radiation to be reflected. By some estimates, a global resurfacing rollout would increase the amount of sunlight bounced off the earth by 0.03%, cancelling out the warming caused by 44bn tonnes of CO2 pollution.

By his own admission this is not a permanent solution. Further efforts would be required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions if a long-term solution to global warming is to be achieved. Increasing albedo, however, could delay some of the detrimental effects of climate change while other solutions are being developed. Or as Akbari says, "we can give the atmosphere time to breathe."

The Guardian, Jan 2009 – Paint it white

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/16/white-paint-carbon-emissions-climate

Heat Island Group

http://heatisland.lbl.gov/

Solutions for the Planet: Synthetic Trees

Although it sounds like something cut from the realm of science fiction, the idea of using super CO2-absorbing artificial 'trees' has been flagged by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as one of three geoengineering concepts that is both practical and feasible using current technology.

At $20-$30k per unit, a synthetic carbon 'scrubbing' structure could collect up to 1000 times more carbon than an equivalent sized tree - removing up to 1 tonne of CO2 per day. The gas would then be collected and stored - sequestered or re-used in industry.

BBC News, Aug 2009 – 'Artificial trees' to cut carbon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8223528.stm

Inhabitat, Mar 2009 – 100,000 Synthetic Trees Could Help Combat Climate Change

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/09/03/100000-synthetic-trees-could-help-combat-climate-change/

Solutions for the Planet: Cloud-brightening Yachts

Rising sea levels threaten our life on this planet, but the sea itself could hold the answer to our problems. In this remarkable experiment, futuristic yachts atomize the oceans and spray the clouds to make them denser and more reflective. Brighter clouds would help us combat global warming.

This video from the BBC's Five Ways to Save The World series

Solutions for the Planet: Sulphates in the Stratosphere

The Clean Air Acts designed to filter sulphates out of our immediate environment have had an ironic effect - they've accelerated the earth's warming. But what if sulphates could be taken high enough into the stratosphere - perhaps with rockets - to form a protective shield around our planet? Cutting-edge science could make the idea a reality. 

This video from the BBC's Five Ways to Save The World series

Solutions for the Planet: Mirrors in Space

The pace of climate change is outstripping conventional responses. The time has come for visionary thinking to save our beleaguered planet. Dr Roger Angel proposes firing trillions of mirrors into space to deflect solar rays, forming a 'sun shade' for the earth.