Geoengineering

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Not to be confused with geotechnical engineering.
See also: List of geoengineering topics

The modern concept of geoengineering is usually taken to mean proposals to deliberately manipulate the Earth's climate to counteract the effects of global warming from greenhouse gas emissions. The National Academy of Sciences defined geoengineering as "options that would involve large-scale engineering of our environment in order to combat or counteract the effects of changes in atmospheric chemistry." [1]

Some geoengineering techniques are based on carbon sequestration. These seek to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere directly. These include direct methods (e.g. carbon dioxide air capture) and indirect methods (e.g. ocean iron fertilization). These techniques can be regarded as mitigation of global warming. Alternatively, solar radiation management techniques (e.g. stratospheric sulfur aerosols) do not reduce greenhouse gas concentrations, and can only address the warming effects of carbon dioxide and other gases; they cannot address problems such as ocean acidification, which are expected as a result for rising carbon dioxide levels. Examples of proposed geoengineering techniques include the production of stratospheric sulfur aerosols, which was suggested by Paul Crutzen,[2] and cloud reflectivity enhancement. Most techniques have at least some side effects.

The two aspects of the field are 1. temperature management by blocking and reflecting sunlight and 2. carbon management by removing carbon from the atmosphere. Since it takes decades or centuries to grow a forest, other methods have been considered. [3] One proposal was to cover deserts with aluminum foil but it was rejected because that would destroy the desert ecosystem. Another idea was to launch millions of mirrors into orbit, but that was considered too difficult. The two most discussed ideas involved shade in the atmosphere. [4] The first plan was to pump volcano-like smoke into the upper atmosphere. A volcano in the Philippines in 1991 lowered global temperature by half a degree. Various ideas on how to put the sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere included the use of artillery shells, balloons or inserting into the fuel of jet airliners. Opponents wrote that stratospheric sulfate injection would damage the ozone layer and thus hurt plants and animals. Others held it would reduce the effectiveness of solar power and change rain cycles. [5] The second plan for increasing shade from the atmosphere was called “cloud brightening.” Ships would spray sea water thousands of feet into the air, and this would turn into clouds. If it did, it would also help counter droughts. In reality, cloud forming technology is still experimental. [6] Political consideration included the question of who would decide what techniques to use, and what the earth’s target temperature should be. The possibility of bad weather being blamed on geoengineering and the resulting lawsuits was also considered. [7]


To date, no large-scale geoengineering projects have been undertaken, nor has a consensus been reached that geoengineering is desirable. Some commentators additionally suggest that consideration of geoengineering is unhelpful because it threatens to reduce the political and popular pressure for emissions reduction. Typically, the scientists and engineers proposing geoengineering strategies do not suggest that they are an alternative to emissions control, but rather an accompanying strategy.[8] Some limited tree planting[9] and cool roof[10] projects are already underway, and ocean iron fertilization is at an advanced stage of research, with small scale research trials having been completed.[11]

Contents

[edit] Definition

Geoengineering is the idea of applying planetary engineering to Earth. Geoengineering would involve the deliberate modification of Earth's environment on a large scale "to suit human needs and promote habitability".[12] Typically, the term is used to describe proposals to counter the effects of human-induced climate change. However, others define it more narrowly as nature-integrated engineering projects.[13] The term geoengineering is distinct from environmental damage and accidental anthropogenic climate change, which are side-effects of human activity, rather than an intended consequence. The global recovery of hydrocarbons from the subsurface using integrated geoscience and engineering technology has been termed 'petroleum geoengineering' as an activity with global impact. [14]. Definitions of the term are not universally accepted.[15]

[edit] Background

The field is currently experiencing a surge of interest as it has now become a broadly accepted fact that global warming is both real and dangerous. A degree of urgency in efforts to research and implement potential solutions is based on the historic failure to control emissions, and the possibility that tipping points in the Earth's climate system are close at hand.[16] In particular the Arctic shrinkage is causing accelerated regional warming. Rapid action with geoengineering may be necessary. Other tipping points might be avoided by reducing the impact of global warming in order to stifle positive feedback and prevent the resulting accelerated climate change.

The study of geoengineering is a notably complex discipline, as it requires the collation of knowledge in:

Several notable organisations have recently, or are soon to, investigate geoengineering with a view to evaluating its potential. Notably, NASA,[17] the Royal Society,[18] the Institute of Mechanical Engineers,[19][20] and the UK Parliament,[21] have all held inquiries or contests aimed at discovering and evaluating current knowledge of the subject.

The major environmental organisations such as Friends of the Earth[22] and Greenpeace[23] have typically been reluctant to endorse geoengineering. Some have argued that any public support for geoengineering may weaken the fragile political consensus to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[24]

[edit] Proposed projects

Several geo-engineering projects have been proposed. The documentaries Five ways to save the world and La temperature grimpe[25] describe many of the most notable projects. IPCC documents also detail several proposed projects.[26]

[edit] Solar radiation management

Main article: Solar radiation management
See also: Stratospheric sulfur aerosols (geoengineering) and Albedo
Rotor ship Buckau. Stephen Salter proposed that robot versions of such ships could spray seawater into the air to create clouds, shielding the earth from the sun[27].

Solar radiation management[28] (SRM) projects seek to reduce the amount of sunlight hitting the Earth and thus counteract global warming. They do not reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and thus do not address problems such as ocean acidification caused by these gases. The phenomenon of global dimming is widely-known, and is not necessarily a geoengineering technique, occurring naturally as a result of volcanoes and major forest fires. However, its deliberate manipulation is a tool of the geoengineer.

Solar radiation management projects often have the advantage of speed. Whilst Greenhouse gas remediation offers a comprehensive possible solution to climate change, it does not give instant results; for that, solar radiation management is required.

Techniques that fall into this category include:

[edit] Greenhouse gas remediation

Main articles: Greenhouse gas remediation and Carbon sequestration
An oceanic phytoplankton bloom in the South Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Argentina. Encouraging such blooms with iron fertilization could lock up carbon on the seabed.

Greenhouse gas remediation projects seek to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, and thus tackle the root cause of global warming. They either directly remove greenhouse gases, or alternatively seek to influence natural processes to remove greenhouse gases indirectly. These projects offer a comprehensive solution to the problem of excess greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, but they will take many years to work fully. Many projects overlap with carbon capture and storage and carbon sequestration projects, and may not be considered to be geoengineering by all commentators. Techniques in this category include:

[edit] Arctic geoengineering

Main article: Arctic geoengineering

Various hydrological geoengineering projects aim to change the climate without directly or indirectly removing greenhouse gases, or directly influencing solar radiation. These principally act by limiting Arctic sea ice loss. Keeping the Arctic ice is seen by many commentators as vital,[29] due to its role in the planet's albedo and in keeping methane, which is an important greenhouse gas, locked up in permafrost.[30]

[edit] Justification

The use of geoengineering to tackle climate change is advocated for several specific reasons:

[edit] Tipping points and positive feedback

Climate change during the last 65 million years. The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum is labelled PETM.

It is argued that climate change has already, or is soon to, pass one or more tipping points[31] where aspects of the climate system may 'tip' from one stable state to another stable state, much like a glass tipping over. When the new stable state is reached, it may trigger or accelerate warming positive feedback effects,[32] such as the collapse of Arctic sea ice triggering the release of methane from permafrost in Siberia.[33][34] The "nightmare scenario" is that a domino effect will occur, with successive parts of the climate system tipping one after the other, with each change being caused by the previous one and causing the next one. Such a situation will lead to spiralling and potentially sudden climate change.

The precise identity of such "tipping points" is not clear, with scientists taking differing views on whether specific systems are capable of "tipping" and the point at which this "tipping" will occur.[35] An example of a previous tipping point is that which preceded the rapid warming leading up to the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. Once the tipping point is reached, cuts in greenhouse gas emissions will not be able to reverse the change. Depending on the precise nature of the individual system that "tips", positive feedbacks may occur, with warming causing more warming, which causes yet more warming—a runaway global warming event.[36] Therefore, some commentators suggest that more conservative use of resources is not enough to mitigate global warming. Even if all greenhouse emissions suddenly came to a complete halt, the world would continue to be affected for centuries,[37] and further warming may occur due to positive feedback. Conservation of resources and reduction of greenhouse emissions, used in conjunction with geoengineering, are therefore considered a viable option.[38][39][40] Geoengineering offers the hope of temporarily reversing some aspects of climate change and allowing the natural climate to be substantially preserved whilst greenhouse gas emissions are brought under control and removed from the atmosphere by natural or artificial processes.

[edit] Precautionary principle

Bearing in mind the threats from climate change, it can be argued that attempting geoengineering represents a lesser risk than not pursuing such strategies. While the understanding of geoengineering techniques is limited, the risks of global warming are at least partially understood, and are severe.[41]

[edit] Costs

Some geoengineering techniques, such as the use of pale-coloured materials for roofing and paving, can be achieved at little or no cost, and may even offer a financial payback.[42] It is therefore possible to argue that certain implementations of such techniques are preferable to cutting carbon emissions on cost grounds alone.

[edit] Political viability

It has been argued that regardless of the economic, scientific and technical aspects, the difficulty of achieving concerted political action on climate change requires other approaches.[43] Those arguing political expediency say the difficulty of achieving meaningful emissions cuts [44] and the effective failure of the Kyoto Protocol demonstrate the practical difficulties of achieving carbon dioxide emissions reduction by the agreement of the international community. [45] However, others point to support for geoengineering proposals among think tanks with a history climate change skepticism and opposition to emissions reductions as evidence that the prospect of geoengineering is itself already politicized and being promoted as part of an argument against the need for (and viability of) emissions reductions; that, rather than geoengineering being a solution to the difficulties of emissions reductions, the prospect of geoengineering is being used as part of an argument to stall emissions reductions in the first place[46].

[edit] Risks and criticisms

Many criticisms have been made of geoengineering. However, the existence of criticism should not be taken to mean that those raising it are opposed to a particular technique, but rather that they are pointing out a potential disadvantage or downside which may need to be monitored or controlled, or may alternatively weigh against a particular technique. Some commentators appear fundamentally opposed, however. Individuals such as Raymond Pierrehumbert have called for a moratorium on geoengineering techniques.[47][48]

[edit] Ineffectiveness

The effectiveness of the schemes proposed may fall short of predictions. In the example of ocean iron fertilization, for example, the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere may be much lower than predicted, as carbon taken up by plankton may be released back into the atmosphere from dead plankton, rather than being carried to the bottom of the sea and sequestered.[49]

Change in sea surface pH caused by anthropogenic CO2 between the 1700s and the 1990s. This ocean acidification will still be a major problem unless atmospheric CO2 is reduced.

[edit] Incomplete solution to CO2 emissions

Techniques that do not remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere may control global warming, but do not reduce other effects from these gases, such as ocean acidification.[50] Whilst not an argument against geoengineering per se, this is an argument against reliance on geoengineering to the exclusion of greenhouse gas reduction.

[edit] Control and predictability problems

Many members of the scientific and technical communities fear that the full effects of various geoengineering schemes are not well understood.[51] The failure of the ambitious Biosphere 2 facility is one example of a complex project that was unsuccessful because scientists still have a limited understanding of how earth systems work together.

Performance of the systems may become ineffective, unpredictable or unstable as a result of external events, such as volcanic eruptions, phytoplankton blooms, El Niño, solar flares, etc., potentially leading to profound and unpredictable disruption to the climate system.

It may be difficult to predict the effectiveness of projects,[52] with models of techniques giving widely varying results.[53] In the instances of systems which involve tipping points, this may result in irreversible effects. Climate modelling is far from an exact science even when applied to comparatively well-understood natural climate systems, and it is made more complex by the need to understand novel and unnatural processes which by definition lack relevant observation data.[54]

[edit] Side effects

The techniques themselves may cause significant foreseen or unforeseen harm. For example, the use of reflective balloons may result in significant litter,[55] which may be harmful to wildlife.

Ozone depletion is a risk of some geoengineering techniques, notably those involving sulfur delivery into the stratosphere.[56]

The active nature of geoengineering may in some cases create a clear division between winners and losers. Most of the proposed interventions are regional, such as albedo modification in the Arctic. Necessarily, such interventions compel those in the affected regions to tolerate the effects of geoengineering for the supposed benefit of the global climate.[57]

There may be unintended climatic consequences, such as changes to the hydrological cycle[58] including droughts[59] or floods, caused by the geoengineering techniques, but possibly not predicted by the models used to plan them.[60] Such effects may be cumulative or chaotic in nature, making prediction and control very difficult.

[edit] Unreliable systems

The performance of the interventions may be inconsistent due to mechanical failure, non-availability of consumables or funding problems.

The geoengineering techniques would, in many instances, be vulnerable to being switched off or deliberately destroyed. As examples, cloud making ships could be switched off or sunk and space mirrors could be tilted to make them useless. Anyone capable of exerting such power may seek to abuse it for commercial gain, military advantage or simple terrorism.

[edit] Weaponisation

Weaponisation of geoengineering techniques is generally prohibited by the Environmental Modification Convention. However, this does not eliminate the risk. Geoengineering techniques may be used as a weapon of mass destruction, creating droughts or famines designed to destroy or disable an enemy.[61] They could also be used simply to make battlefield conditions more favourable to one side or the other in a war[62] (such as in Operation Popeye). For example, laser-guided weapons are confounded by clouds, and thus switching off cloud machines would favour forces using such weapons, and switching them on would favour ground forces defending against them.[63]

Whilst laws or treaties may prevent the manipulation of the climate as a weapon of war,[64] it could be argued that geoengineering is itself a manipulation, and thus destroying or disabling the geoengineering structures is not prohibited. A new legal framework may be necessary in the event that large-scale geoengineering becomes established.

Despite the capacity of the military-industrial complex to investigate and deploy geoengineering, their involvement has proved controversial.[65] Carnegie’s Ken Caldeira said, "It will make it harder to achieve broad consensus on developing and governing these technologies if there is suspicion that gaining military advantage is an underlying motivation for its development.."[66]

[edit] Effect on sunlight, sky and clouds

Managing solar radiation using aerosols or cloud cover will change the ratio between direct and indirect solar radiation. This may affect plant life[67] and solar energy.[68] There will be a significant effect on the appearance of the sky from aerosol projects, notably a hazing of blue skies and a change in the appearance of sunsets.[69] Aerosols may affect the formation of clouds, especially cirrus clouds.[70]

[edit] Moral hazard

The existence of such techniques may reduce the political and social impetus to reduce carbon emissions.[71]

Other criticism comes from those who see geoengineering projects as reacting to the symptoms of global warming rather than addressing the real causes of climate change. Because geoengineering is a form of controlling the risks associated with global warming, it leads to a moral hazard problem. The problem is that knowledge that geoengineering is possible could lead to climate impacts seeming less fearsome, which could in turn lead to a weaker commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.[72]

[edit] Lack of global control

Geoengineering opens up various political and economic issues. David Keith argues that the cost of geoengineering the Earth is within the realm of small countries, large corporations, or even very wealthy individuals.[73] Steve Rayner agrees that not all geoengineering possibilities are expensive, and that some, such as ocean iron fertilisation, are within the reach of very wealthy individuals, calling them a "Greenfinger" (after the fictional Goldfinger).[74][75] David Victor suggests that geoengineering is within the reach of any individual who has a small fraction of the bank account of Bill Gates, who takes it upon him or her self to be the "self-appointed protector of the planet".[76]

This effectively eliminates any control over who gets to decide when to cool the Earth and how often this should be done.[73] The resulting power would be enormous, and could not necessarily be readily controlled by legal, political or regulatory systems.[77] These legal and regulatory systems may themselves be far less powerful than the geoengineers controlling the climate become.

It is quite feasible for carbon offsetting firms to set up unregulated, unsupervised and dangerous geoengineering projects. This may be done in order to sell carbon credits to individuals and firms.

Geoengineering schemes have the potential to cause significant environmental damage, and may even end up releasing further greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.[78] Opposition to some early schemes has been intense, with respected environmental groups campaigning against them.[79]

[edit] Implementation issues

There is no general consensus that geoengineering is safe, appropriate or effective, for the reasons listed above. The issue of moral hazard means that many environmental groups and campaigners are reluctant to advocate geoengineering for fear of reducing the imperative to cut greenhouse gas emissions.[80] Other environmentalists see calls for geoengineering as part of an explicit strategy to delay emissions reductions on the part of those with connections to coal and oil industries[81].

All proposed geoengineering techniques require implementation on a relatively large scale, in order to make a significant difference to the Earth's climate. The least costly schemes are budgeted at a cost of millions,[82] with many more complex schemes such as space sunshade costing far more.

Many techniques, again such as space sunshade, require a complex technical development process before they are ready to be implemented. There is no clear institutional mechanism for handling this research and development process. As a result, many promising techniques do not have the engineering development or experimental evidence to determine their feasibility or efficacy at present.

Once a technique has been developed and tested, its implementation is still likely to be difficult. Climate change is by nature a global problem, and therefore no one institution, company or government is responsible for it. The substantial costs of most geoengineering techniques therefore cannot currently be apportioned. Roll-out of such technologies is therefore likely to be delayed until these issues can be resolved. A notable exception is the use of small albedo manipulation projects, known as cool roof, in which the colour of roofing or paving surfaces can be manipulated to reflect solar radiation back into space. These can be, and are, implemented by individuals, companies and governments without controversy.[83]

Due to the radical changes caused by geoengineering interventions, legal issues are also an impediment to implementation. The changes resulting from geoengineering necessarily benefit some people and disadvantage others. There may therefore be legal challenges to the implementation of geoengineering techniques by those adversely affected by them.[84]

[edit] Evaluation of geoengineering

Few field experiments in geoengineering have been carried out. Most of what is known about the suggested techniques is based on simulations from global climate models and other computer modelling techniques. Some techniques are based on natural phenomena such as stratospheric sulfur aerosols and cloud condensation nuclei, the properties of which are already understood from other research, such as that following the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Evaluation of the relative merits of each technology is difficult, especially bearing in mind the difficulties of modelling and the lack of engineering development of many ideas.[85]

A study by Lenton and Vaughan evaluated various techniques and determined that some were capable of reversing the warming effect of a doubling of the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere when compared to pre-industrial levels.[86]

[edit] See also

Energy portal

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  86. ^ The radiative forcing potential of different climate geoengineering options ACPD - Abstract

[edit] External links

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