Saturday, November 20, 2010

Cool the Earth with geo-engineering? Some say wait

The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 spewed almost 20 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere caused a half degree average global temperatures fallen.Nun scientists consider imitates the effect, but there are discussions about how it should be done and who should rules.


At a recent meeting in Japan of the United Nations Convention ask what some Nations about the biodiversity some rules for future geoengineers thereof granted tried diplomats, a moratorium on all activities of the Geotechnical Engineering until the science is clear and there are global regulations.


If you want to see, you go back to 1991, what might look like geotechnical engineering, to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines.


The volcano spewed almost 20 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide in the stratosphere. These particles can reflect sunlight back into space and for a while, that is exactly what happens sank ist.Temperaturen all over the world on average half a degree.


It turns out you don't need a volcano, the same effect to erzielen.Wissenschaftler aircraft could use to directly into the stratosphere inject, sulphur dioxide and global temperatures. What's more is, says David Keith, directs University of Calgary's energy and environmental systems group, that would be pretty easy to do.


"It takes so little material the whole planet's changing climate", he says. "The cost of doing it are just absurdly cheap."


Unintended consequences?


Mount Pinatubo effect as it is called, is just a way, scientists could use technology to counteract climate change or at least their impact.Another option is to suck algae in the ocean carbon dioxide grow.


But to have a real impact on climate change, the project must take place on a large scale.And that could have all sorts of unintended consequences.For example, precipitation patterns might ändern.Das could mean drought and famine for thousands of people in East Africa, according to Diana Bronson ETC Group since geotechnical skeptical.


The planetary thermostat


Colby College says historian of science and technology James Fleming Geotechnical Engineering raises an important issue of governance.He says someone or some land, set the temperature for the entire planet could find someday even capable.So, who or where would it be?


"" It would at the Lawrence Livermore Lab?"he asks."In Indonesia somewhere would it?"It would be in China? what is when a rogue nation wanted to have its own thermostat?"


The UN Convention on biological diversity includes the USAIn of fact only hours meet before Saturday where the moratorium was thrown, Republic a Bart Gordon - a Democrat from Tennessee - US statement, promote research into Geotechnik.Aber Bronson ETC Group says the international moratorium sends a powerful message.


It would be very foolish to say by the Obama administration, ' we no matter what anyone says about this, we go ahead anyways,' says Bronson.


Keith, of Calgary scientists see no real incentive Geoengineer Klima.Aber he says that change more conscious could change climate impact by countries on their national Interessen.Und he says, "We have the international mechanisms to manage." one-sided at this point for each country


Keith believes geotechnical engineering can be is an important tool such as climate change weiter.Aber he says there is no reason to rush into something.


"I hope that slowly debate", he says, "because there are risks on both sides gibt.Es real risks for aggressive quickly, and there are risks of inaction."


As climate change, can the effects of geotechnical sein.Das global means it takes global cooperation to get it right.

Environment


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