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[Geist-]

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/12/mitigating-the-risk-of-geoengineering/

One drastic idea is solar geoengineering — injecting light-reflecting sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere to cool the planet. Researchers know that large amounts of aerosols can significantly cool the planet; the effect has been observed after large volcanic eruptions. But these sulfate aerosols also carry significant risks. The biggest known risk is that they produce sulfuric acid in the stratosphere, which damages ozone. Since the ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet light from the sun, its depletion can lead to increased rates of skin cancer, eye damage, and other adverse consequences.

Now, researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have identified an aerosol for solar geoengineering that may be able to cool the planet while simultaneously repairing ozone damage.

In order to keep aerosols from harming the ozone, the particles would need to neutralize sulfuric, nitric, and hydrochloric acid on their surface. To find such a particle, Keutsch turned to his handy periodic table. After eliminating the toxic elements, the finicky and rare metals, the team was left with the alkali and alkaline Earth metals, which included sodium and calcium carbonate.

“Essentially, we ended up with an antacid for the stratosphere,” said Keutsch.

Through extensive modeling of stratospheric chemistry, the team found that calcite, a constituent of limestone, could counter ozone loss by neutralizing emissions-borne acids in the atmosphere, while also reflecting light and cooling the planet.

“Calcite is one of the most common compounds found in the Earth’s crust,” said Keith. ”The amounts that would be used in a solar geoengineering application are small compared to what’s found in surface dust.”

The researchers have already begun testing calcite in lab experiments that mimic stratospheric conditions. Keith and Keutsch caution that introducing anything into the atmosphere may have unanticipated consequences.

“Stratospheric chemistry is complicated and we don’t understand everything about it,” Keith said. “There are ways that this approach could increase global ozone but at the same time, because of the climate dynamics in the polar regions, increase the ozone hole.”

The researchers emphasize that even if all the attendant risks could be reduced to acceptable levels, solar geoengineering is not a solution to climate change.

“Geoengineering is like taking painkillers,” said Keutsch. “When things are really bad, painkillers can help but they don’t address the cause of a disease and they may cause more harm than good. We really don’t know the effects of geoengineering, but that is why we’re doing this research.”

 

[Jeremy]

Why fix what ain't broken?

 

[Stinkles]

If it smells like Axe we should just let the world die.

 

[SRG01]

The OP already pointed it out I think... this is almost the exact premise of Snowpiercer.

 

[excowboy]

Please work.

 

[Trouble]

... and then we release mongooses to eat the snakes...

 

[guek]

Suddenly the Animatrix comes to mind but hey, if it works...

 

[SlimySnake]

So this is it! Climate Change/Global Warming averted thanks to aerosol! Trump Preisdency truly a turning point.

 

[Netherscourge]

Trump tweet incoming in 5, 4, 3, 2....

"Make Aerosol Great Again!"

 

[diablos991]

Pretty neat. Fantastic research.
I look forward to the giant satellite hairspray bottle that will save humanity.

 

[maxcriden]

The OP already pointed it out I think... this is almost the exact premise of Snowpiercer.

Interesting. How is that movie? It seems it might be too gory for me....

 

[Derwind]

The biggest known risk is that they produce sulfuric acid in the stratosphere, which damages ozone. Since the ozone layer absorbs ultraviolet light from the sun, its depletion can lead to increased rates of skin cancer, eye damage, and other adverse consequences.

Not going to lie, that's a pretty big risk on its own. Crazy to think we are letting things get this far.

 

[diablos991]

Not going to lie, that's a pretty big risk on its own. Crazy to think we are letting things get this far.

Keep reading....

 

[Derwind]

Keep reading....

I read the whole article. Planning to mitigating the risk doesn't make the risk go away.

Edit; nevermind I'm an idiot.

 

[Geist-]

Not going to lie, that's a pretty big risk on its own. Crazy to think we are letting things get this far.

That was the reason we haven't been using sulfate aerosols. The article is about using calcite aerosols instead since they also reflect light and neutralize ozone harming acids like sulfuric acid.

 

[Principate]

Pretty neat. Fantastic research.
I look forward to the giant satellite hairspray bottle that will save humanity.

Did you read the OP. This is at best a bandaid. There's no easy fixes for these sorts of things

 

[DrSlek]

Interesting. How is that movie? It seems it might be too gory for me....

There's almost no gore. People get shot or stabbed, but nothing gruesome.
As for the quality, I fucking love it. One of my favourite movies.

 

[darscot]

If it smells like Axe we should just let the world die.

Fuck this killed me.

 

[Krakn3Dfx]

See you guys on the train.

 

[diablos991]

I read the whole article. Planning to mitigating the risk doesn't make the risk go away.

When the mitigation changes "damage ozone" to "repair ozone" it not only mitigates the risk but actually improves on current risks.

Sure there will be some downsides. But the ones related to ozone depletion (the ones you quoted) are not the downsides to the refined chemical.

 

[Derwind]

When the mitigation changes "damage ozone" to "repair ozone" it not only mitigates the risk but actually improves on current risks.

Sure there will be some downsides. But the ones related to ozone depletion (the ones you quoted) are not the downsides to the refined chemical.

You're right, sorry for the confusion.

 

[Gudji]

See you guys on the train.

Was going to say the same thing! LOL

 

[Protome]

Did you read the OP. This is at best a bandaid. There's no easy fixes for these sorts of things

Giant satellite hairspray bottle that will temporarily save humanity it is then.

 

[diablos991]

Giant satellite hairspray bottle that will temporarily save humanity it is then.

I still look forward to it.

 

[Not]

Hmmm, jumping right to Snowpiercer, huh. I guess Day After Tomorrow was technically directly caused by climate change, not a result of mankind trying to reverse it.

 

[Principate]

When the mitigation changes "damage ozone" to "repair ozone" it not only mitigates the risk but actually improves on current risks.

Sure there will be some downsides. But the ones related to ozone depletion (the ones you quoted) are not the downsides to the refined chemical.

How exactly are you going to mass produce this on a planetary scale to not only reverse the damage being done but also the massive amount of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere. Let alone where are you going to get the energy for this?

 

[TaterTots]

That's neat. This would have to go through the FDA, right? If so, we aren't seeing this for 100 years. With the amount I poop I'd truly make a difference.

 

[Biggest-Geek-Ever]

What would the effect be if combined this aerosol with dropping giant ice cubes in the ocean?

 

[kiunchbb]

Clean coal fuck yeah!

 

[diablos991]

How exactly are you going to mass produce this on a planetary scale to not only reverse the damage being done but also the massive amount of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere. Let alone where are you going to get the energy for this?

I'm not going to do any of that.
Other, more capable, minds will figure that one out.

 

[Geist-]

How exactly are you going to mass produce this on a planetary scale

“Calcite is one of the most common compounds found in the Earth’s crust,”

.

 

[DrSlek]

 

[Principate]

.

Bruh the fact it's common has nothing to do with how your going to mass produce and most importantly disperse the stuff. Not only in sufficient quantities to reverse the already done but the one that"s currently going on.

Think it through.

 

[Lagamorph]

Interesting. How is that movie? It seems it might be too gory for me....

Pretty good until the ending completely sours the whole thing.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

It's always seemed obvious to me that we're going to need to take measures to directly mitigate the effects of climate change even as we work on solving the root causes. Waiting for the Earth to slowly rebalance itself over a period of decades or centuries is going to leave far too many people all around the world up shit creek without a paddle.

 

[teruterubozu]

Sounds a bit reckless for a solution.

 

[Team Filler]

I like that the possibility is being explored for a short term fix, but am frightened at the potential for unforeseen consequences:

 

[yanipheonu]

To be honest, I've been putting far more of my hopes into scientific breakthroughs than political action for fighting climate change.

I have far more faith in the minds of scientists than the minds of politicians and the masses. Not that I'm exactly holding out for some miracle global warming cure.

 

[G.ZZZ]

A "little" side effect of this is decreased luminosity on the surface. Which is all kinds of bad.

 

[Protome]

What if they make the Ozone too good though?

Bruh the fact it's common has nothing to do with how your to mass produce and most importantly disperse the stuff.

Think it through.

It'd presumably require global leaders to agree to invest a certain amount in producing/dispersing it based on how much they contribute to creation of greenhouse gases. Something like the Paris Agreement.

 

[Steel]

What if they make the Ozone too good though?



It'd presumably require global leaders to agree to invest a certain amount in producing/dispersing it based on how much they contribute to creation of greenhouse gases. Something like the Paris Agreement.

You're missing the poster's point. Manfacturing this stuff will take a large amount of energy, that energy will likely come from fossil fuels.

 

[Ziltoidia 9]

Watch the GOP ban it because "climate change is just a hoax".

 

[Geist-]

Bruh the fact it's common has nothing to do with how your to mass produce and most importantly disperse the stuff. Not only in sufficient quantities to reverse the already done but the one that"s currently going on.

Think it through.

Lol, you're making it out to be more impossible than it is. Limestone quarries are plentiful and planes have been able to release aerosols in the sky for decades, even if this is on an entirely new level of scale.

 

[Principate]

What if they make the Ozone too good though?



It'd presumably require global leaders to agree to invest a certain amount in producing/dispersing it based on how much they contribute to creation of greenhouse gases. Something like the Paris Agreement.

And how did the Paris agreement end up? this is no easy fix. The same problems remain. CO2 emissions must be broufg otherwise there's a reasonable chance your bringing a garden sprinkler to a forest fire.

 

[perfectchaos007]

To be honest, I've been putting far more of my hopes into scientific breakthroughs than political action for fighting climate change.

I have far more faith in the minds of scientists than the minds of politicians and the masses. Not that I'm exactly holding out for some miracle global warming cure.

more like

 

[NYCmetsfan]

It's always seemed obvious to me that we're going to need to take measures to directly mitigate the effects of climate change even as we work on solving the root causes. Waiting for the Earth to slowly rebalance itself over a period of decades or centuries is going to leave far too many people all around the world up shit creek without a paddle.

*millennia or ages

 

[RedStep]

I, for one, welcome our upcoming Ice Age. I love snowboarding but going to the mountain is just so far. I like the idea of the mountain coming to me.

 

[Principate]

Lol, you're making it out to be more impossible than it is. Limestone quarries are plentiful and planes have been able to release aerosols in the sky for decades, even if this is on an entirely new level of scale.

Yes and how did we do that? You think that energy is free.
This thing is made and broken by the logistics and getting the world to work together. If those things were so easy we wouldn't be having problems with climate change in the first place.

 

[NYCmetsfan]

To be honest, I've been putting far more of my hopes into scientific breakthroughs than political action for fighting climate change.

I have far more faith in the minds of scientists than the minds of politicians and the masses. Not that I'm exactly holding out for some miracle global warming cure.

We either reduce Greenhouse gases or find carbon capture tech but both will require the same amount of political action (and one is still unproven).

 

[NastyBook]

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2016/12/mitigating-the-risk-of-geoengineering/

Good, you put the proper image in the OP. Saves us the trouble. I would've also accepted roachbars.