We Can Engineer Away Climate Change

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 13, 2009 12:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – It’s drastic and potentially dangerous, but we absolutely must research geoengineering as a potential fix for climate change, writes Samuel Thernstrom in the Washington Post. Many climate scientists believe that attempts to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions are too little, too late. But preliminary evidence shows that geoengineering could work “quickly, effectively and affordably, three attributes no other climate policy can claim.”

When Mount Pinatubo erupted, it cooled the planet for at least 2 years. We could reproduce that effect by injecting ultra-fine sulfur particles into the upper atmosphere. Or we could increase the reflective power of low-altitude stratocumuli clouds by spraying a fine mist of seawater into the air. Such methods may be controversial, or dangerous, but researching the possibilities shouldn’t be. They might be our only hope.

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The Vishnu Temple rock formation stands under a cloudy sky June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. (Getty Images)

Clouds surround the NASA Press site and countdown clock at Kennedy Space Center on May 23, 2009 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Getty Images)

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A research program now would give future policymakers the opportunity to make decisions about geoengineering from a position of knowledge rather than ignorance and desperation. - Samuel Thernstrom

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 41 comments

Snowleopard

Jun 15, 2009 7:35 AM CDT

If the fossil fuels companies can delay action on CO2 reduction, they make billions because of it. If the scientists spread awareness of climate change, and contribute to some type of movement where we limit emissions, sure they may get another grant or something, but more importantly, their children will live in a more inhabitable world.

Snowleopard

Jun 15, 2009 7:33 AM CDT

no, one volcano doesn't even show a blip on the global CO2 levels. Look at some charts of yearly CO2 taken in hawaii. No correlation between CO2 levels and volcanic activity.

Snowleopard

Jun 15, 2009 7:29 AM CDT

you're insane. gore could be making 10 times as much as a lobbyist in washington. hate to break it to you , but the thousands of scientists that agree with him are not in a global conspiracy against you.

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