Scientists from the University of Cambridge are going to create a new research center that will study issues and develop technologies that will "fix" the Earth's climate. Researchers are going to consider, among other things, very radical geoengineering approaches in solving the problem of climate change catastrophic for nature, for example, using the secondary freezing of the poles of our planet, as well as removing CO2 from its atmosphere.
According to the BBC news agency, the incentive for the creation of such a scientific center was the fear of scientists that the current approaches to preserve the environment will not be able to stop the dangerous and irreversible damage caused to the planet by human activities. The authors of the project believe that their initiative is the first of its kind and in the long term can really lead to a significant reduction in the level of emissions and the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere.
The project is coordinated by Professor Sir David King, former scientific adviser to the British government.
Some examples of ideas described by King and the prospect that can help us solve the problem under discussion are more related to the so-called geoengineering. The Earth Climate Restoration Center will be run by Dr. Emily Schakburg, who describes the center's primary mission as "solving climate problems."
It is noted that not only climatologists, but also engineers and sociologists will work at the center.
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Secondary freezing of poles
One of the most promising ideas associated with freezing the poles is to "brighten" the clouds above them to make them more reflective. To do this, it is proposed to pump sea water with high hydrants installed on unmanned seagoing vessels and spray it. So microscopic particles of salt water will themselves create clouds that reflect light well, thus cooling the water and air below them.
Recycling CO2
Another approach is a variation on a scheme called carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). This refers to the collection of carbon dioxide emissions from coal or gas power plants or metallurgical plants and burying them underground.
CO2 conversion into fuel scheme.
Professor Peter Styring of the University of Sheffield is currently developing a pilot carbon capture and reclamation (CCU) scheme with Tata Steel in Port Talbot, South Wales. As Styring himself points out, the scheme involves the creation of a plant that converts carbon dioxide emissions into synthetic fuel using thermal energy, and operates on site.
Ocean greening
Another idea that is part of the research area of the new center is the landscaping of the ocean floor with algae so that they can absorb more carbon dioxide. Such schemes imply the spraying of iron salts over ocean waters, which will promote the growth of plankton. However, there is one "but": previous studies and experiments have shown that algae are not able to absorb carbon dioxide in the right amount, and such actions can disrupt the ecosystem. Nevertheless, there are those who believe that such a risk is fully justified. According to Professor Callum Roberts from the University of York, those approaches that are currently considered out of the scope of the possible should be considered and, if possible, implemented. This is because the alternative to destructive and potentially irreversible climate change is no better in any case.
Examples of these options are the development of genetically modified corals that are more resistant to higher temperatures, and the spraying of chemicals into the oceans to make it less acidic.
Thinking the unthinkable
All of these approaches can have many dangerous consequences for the planet, but scientists are sure that they still need to be considered, assess the possible negative outcome, and also think about how to implement them with minimal damage. At the same time, some scientists believe that reducing the level of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere alone will not correct the situation on the planet.
Nikolay Khizhnyak