Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 7:51:07 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Plans to Stop Global Warming Straight From Sci-Fi Novels

Posted Sep 5, 08 3:39 PM CDT in Science & Health 

(Newser) – Scientists worry humans might not curb carbon emissions in time to save the planet from irreversible harm, and some have suggested a radical concept called geo-engineering, the Economist reports. Once the stuff of science fiction, geo-engineering would combat global warming by manipulating the environment. While promising, critics warn ecological consequences could be disastrous and might encourage nations to continue using fossil fuels.

One proposal suggests increasing the number of plankton, which feed on carbon dioxide and then carry it to the ocean floor. A more controversial idea involves polluting the stratosphere with planes to reflect solar rays that cause the greenhouse effect. But a UN scientific panel warns geo-engineering is “largely speculative and unproven, and with the risk of unknown side-effects.”

Source Economist

1 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Obama Vows to 'Engage Vigorously' in Climate Fight

    Nov 18, 08 3:30 PM CST
    Obama Vows to 'Engage Vigorously' in Climate Fight In an unexpected video appearance today at a conference on climate change, President-elect Barack Obama promised to fight global warming, saying the stakes are too high to continue delaying action and denying global warming. He vowed to usher in a “new era of global cooperation” come January and says he'll “engage vigorously” in international negotiations, AFP reports.
    More »

  • Green Fight Will Be Obama's Costliest

    Nov 5, 08 4:43 PM CST
    Green Fight Will Be Obama's Costliest Barack Obama must move quickly to address climate change, and it could be very unpopular politically, Bill McKibben writes in Yale Environment 360. In fact, the measures necessary to save our planet could very well “wreck his political future, because it would involve—directly or indirectly—raising the cost of continuing to live as we do.” But it must be done. More »

  • How to Restore World's Trust in US

    Oct 13, 08 1:50 PM CDT
    How to Restore World's Trust in US The Bush administration has done wide-ranging damage to the US’ international image, pulling out of key treaties and unilaterally invading Iraq. The next president has got some work to do to restore its reputation, particularly in two areas: making a commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and setting a worldwide example in dealing with climate change, Clinton-era official Strobe Talbott advises in Der Spiegel. More »

  • Biofuels Not Worth Upward Push on Food Prices: UN

    Oct 7, 08 4:33 PM CDT
    Biofuels Not Worth Upward Push on Food Prices: UN While use of biofuels is supposed to combat climate change, the effects of its production on food prices is not worth the emissions they offset, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said today. The FAO called for countries to review production quotas and subsidies that encourage biofuel use in light of the “continued upward pressure” on the price of agricultural goods, the Financial Times reports. More »

  • It's Hard to Go Green With the Economy in the Red

    Oct 7, 08 11:24 AM CDT
    It's Hard to Go Green With the Economy in the Red Bad days on Wall Street are bad news for environmentalists, too. The financial crisis doubles as a boon for critics of proposed greenhouse gas regulations, writes Margaret Kriz for Yale Environment 360. In its aftermath, politicians will be loath to pass laws that hike carbon-based fuel prices and wary of a "cap-and-trade" system that hands control of greenhouse gas emissions to commodities traders.
    More »

Some scientists have suggested using commercial aircraft to pollute the stratosphere and reflect solar rays.   (©Job Garcia)
Geo-engineering appeared in science-fiction stories as a way to settle uninhabitable planets, but could hold the key to saving Earth.   (AP Photo)
Scientists worry we may not wean ourselves from fossil fuels soon enough to stop global warming.   ((c) André di Lucca)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

climate change • environment • global warming • science • carbon emissions • greenhouse gases • science fiction


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Science & Health Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »