geo-engineering saves the planet?

Today I caught the tale end of a radio conversation in which I heard some of the most desparate and ludicrous ideas I thought possible.

Apparently in January of this year scientists held a summit to discuss ways in which ‘the world could take emergency measures’ to reduce global warming. Basically they are talking about geo-engineering which according to Wikipedia is the application of engineering techniques on a planetary scale, that is, to the entire earth, to tackle human-induced climate change. Most of the suggestions, as you would expect, sound like science fiction plots.

These measures, which until now were just abstract creative solutions, are being seriously considered amid mounting concerns that ‘controversial techniques’ may be the only way to save our arses. The move follows the failure of the recent Copenhagen climate talks to set meaningful carbon reduction targets. Well, we knew there was never going to be consensus on that.

But….there are already concerns about how to ‘regulate geo-engineering and whether its techniques could be developed and unleashed by a single nation, or even a wealthy individual, without wide international approval’. And they think they are going to get consenus on that I suppose.

‘Mike MacCracken, a global warming expert at the Climate Institute in Washington DC, who is organising the conference's scientific programme, said: "Most of the talk about these geo-engineering techniques say they should be saved until we get to an emergency situation. Well the people of the Arctic might say they are in an emergency situation now."’

From ‘artificial trees to giant space mirrors’ - here are some of the brilliant solutions. I just love the desparate optimism and I haven’t even mentioned the drawbacks for each, which of course are numerous and unquantifiable:

• Stratospheric aerosols: spray shiny sulphur compounds into the high atmosphere to reflect sunlight.

• Ocean fertilisation: Dump iron into the sea to boost plankton growth and soak up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (I thought we had a problem with algal bloom already)

• Cloud whitening: Fleets of sailing ships strung across the world's oceans could spray seawater into the sky to evaporate and leave behind shiny salt crystals to brighten clouds, which would then reflect sunlight back into space.

• Space mirrors: A giant orbiting sunshade in space to block the sun. More likely to be a collection of millions or even trillions of small mirrors rather than a giant orbiting parasol.
  

• Artificial trees: (And this one has to take the cake when we are still clearing forests) Devices that use a chemical process to soak up carbon dioxide from the air.

Oh, and one more I heard on the radio, wrap deserts in plastic to reflect heat. Christo and Jeanne- Claude already thought of that.

‘Without significant cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, scientists say global average temperatures could rise by 4C within many of our lifetimes, which could devastate wildlife and threaten the water and food supplies of hundreds of millions of people’. Yes, well we have been hearing that for a while now, but someone, everyone, still fiddles while Rome burns. This has to be the height of man’s egoistic insanity on this planet to date. I think the volcano in Iceland (pictured) might do a better job of cooling the planet.

David Adam, environment correspondent , Tuesday 12 January 2010

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jan/12/geo-engineering-summit

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