Geo-engineering - Not Just for Evil Masterminds
Geo-engineering. Possibly taking Scorched Earth to the extreme?
The offensive use of geoengineering could take a variety of forms. Overproductive algae blooms can actually sterilize large stretches of ocean over time, effectively destroying fisheries and local ecosystems. Sulfur dioxide carries health risks when it cycles out of the stratosphere. One proposal would pull cooler water from the deep oceans to the surface in an explicit attempt to shift the trajectories of hurricanes. Some actors might even deploy counter-geoengineering projects to slow or alter the effects of other efforts.
Humans have used the terrain and environment as part of warfare since Ancient Greece. But, those were localized efforts. This would be on a global scale, outside the zone of conflict; and shows the potential for much longer-term impact.
Either that, or a really good plot for an Austin Powers movie.
Amelioration will be proposed and it will be controversial. Some futuristic writers have considered your suggestion of contrary-action initiatives. Maybe Charles Stross, can't remember, but there was a faction called "swimmers" that wanted to embrace change and adjust.
Citizens of low-lying countries and islands will likely want to chance the counter-efforts.
My proposal is floating solar farms. Whatever tech is used, collecting sunlight also means shadowing the ocean. The effect of that is first to cool the water, which allows more CO2 to be absorbed. The reduction in available sunlight would reduce plankton growth some, but that could be made mild by using sectional systems that allow light in between them.
It requires shipping the energy somewhere, but there are ways to do that. Also, many large electricity markets are coastal, and on top of that, many of those coastal cities could use desalinated water. Reducing water temps near cities would reduce pathogen growth as well as algal growth, which tends to be high because of excess nutrients.
January 29, 2008 5:51 PM | Reply | Permalink