Scientists want to save the Earth through “science fiction”

2018-01-07 13:50

Scientists want to save the Earth through “science fiction”
Engineering Geology as a means of climate change was suddenly on a horse, it is an important element in the fight against climate change.

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More dense clouds over the sea, the repainting of the Earth in a different color, the saturation of the upper layers of the atmosphere particles, reports Rus.Media. Engineering Geology as a means of climate change was suddenly on a horse, it is an important element in the fight against climate change.

“A few years ago, I could not think that that is a possible scenario,” says Anders Hansson (Anders Hansson), the researcher Germany University.

Increasingly dire situation of climate and forces scientists and politicians to actively seek new further solutions to the problem of the temperature rise. Research laboratories around the world doing what looks like science fiction, trying to scale to affect our weather system. These projects are developing very fast, at least in terms of the political debate.

“In 2010, I could not think that position will change so quickly. Early engineering Geology is barely mentioned, and now it has become part of almost all climate scenarios relied upon by the Treaty of Paris. Otherwise, the equation just doesn’t add up,” says Anders Hansson.

When talking about georgener usually mention two different groups of technologies: removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and reduce the strength of sunlight. One of the methods of the first group took the lead in potentially popular technologies of the future.

Is the bioenergy with sequestration and storage of carbon method of energy production, which is reduced to burning large amounts of biomass, such as power plants and pulp and paper industry, followed by compression and burial of the allocated carbon dioxide, as well as planting a new forest. Thus, the amount of carbon dioxide should decrease at least on paper.

“The problem is that it requires the cultivation of biomass in large quantities. We are talking about volumes, from two to ten billion tons. And then there is a conflict with other environmental objectives, such as maintaining biodiversity, food production and water supply,” explains Anders Hansson.

In addition, he says that while there are no commercial installations for capture and storage of carbon.

“This is not tested. In General, the experience of this store is very small, and demonstration facilities is also there.”

Little grants for research

The lack of investment Anders Hansson explains the lack of public research grants.

“While there are no financial incentives to achieve negative emissions,” he says.

Another type of technology limit the solar radiation is also in its infancy. One of the most unusual ideas that at very small scales will feel next year is a simulation of volcanic eruptions.

From volcanoes is the ability to lower the temperature of the earth for a certain number of degrees depending on how much of the eruption. Particles that enter the atmosphere during eruptions, obscure the sunlight, and the largest volcanoes can change the climate of the entire Earth for many years.

Technically, already today it is possible by artificial means to throw the corresponding shares in the air, the only problem is that they rarely stay at the top for quite some time, and it may be a side effect of the acidification of the sea.

“When in 90-ies of the eruption in the Philippines, the earth’s temperature dropped by half a degree. The problem is that no one can appreciate what kind of effect it will give in different parts of the Mora. For example, can disrupt the system of the monsoon rains”, says Anders Hansson.

Planned experiment

Experiment with particles plan to spend next year in Arizona, under the leadership of Harvard Professor David Keith (David Keith).

Other methods mentioned less spectacular: for example, mirrors in space that reflect sunlight.

“There is an area between the sun and the Earth where gravity is zero, if to put a mirror, and there they will remain. But even a 0.5% reduction in the intensity of solar radiation dramatically affect all life on Earth”, says Anders Hansson.

“Another alternative is to place the microscopic mirrors into orbit around the Earth, but then there is a risk that they will harm satellites”.

Although research in this area is still very small, shortage of ideas is not. More easily executable model involves changing the colors of the Earth — in other words, you need to paint all the roofs white. Then they will reflect some of the sunlight back. Another model considers the possibility of thickening of the cloud with water vapor and thus reduce the amount of penetrating light.

Unclear effect

“The other side of the coin: people again changed the system. And how big is the effect? Nobody knows. Then you need to come to a political agreement on how exactly to do as this will affect the climate of the whole Earth”.

One thing is certain: so far we have not heard the last word on the subject georgener. The debate has just begun, and we can be sure that in the coming years will emerge more or less fierce political debate. The will is there — and only a matter of time when it will catch up technology and knowledge.

Methods of solving the climate crisis

1. Biomass burning and burial of carbon dioxide.

2. Mirrors in space or the microscopic mirrors in the stratosphere.

3. The increasing density of clouds to reflect sunlight back.

4. Simulation of volcanic eruptions with emissions of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere.

5. Ocean fertilization with the aim of increasing the amount of plant plankton, which will consume carbon dioxide.

6. Reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by capturing them. In Canada, tests a giant vacuum cleaner, which is to absorb carbon dioxide directly from the air.