The hope never dies, nor the faith in technology. So what if climate change is bad, we will deal with it using technology. That is what the new generation may be expected to say. The implicit faith can be seen if you talk to youngsters whether on population problem or the fuel problem. "We will find a way to send people to other planets. We will find new fuels.' You can be sure to hear that.
And why not? We are talking the same language. When we talk of 'geo-engineering' for example.
How about creating sulphate particles in the thin air and provide a partial shade to the sun's rays, potentially reducing temperatures 1-2C? That is what a recent study focuses on. Dimming the sun by engineering the effects of an artificial volcano is a feasible and potentially cost-effective option to reduce temperatures on Earth, the first major study of the practicality of planetary-scale solar radiation management (SRM) concludes.
This can be done by lifting and releasing 1-5m tonnes a year of sulphur dioxide to altitudes approaching 100,000ft. But how exactly? Try batteries of 16-inch naval guns. But to lift 5m tonnes of particles a year 100,000ft into the stratosphere might need 70m gun shots a year and could cost an astronomical $700bn a year.
How about deploying a fleet of massive helium-filled blimps, costing $8-10bn a year to run, with each blimp costing possibly $500m? However, the technology of airships operating at this altitude is not developed.
It is technically feasible, even if costly or dealing with technology still on the drawing board. However, no attempt is made to quantify the potential benefits or the risks involved in the likely disruption of weather patterns on earth. From climate change to what fire may we be jumping, any guesses?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment