Global Warming Technofixes: Dust and Mirrors
Urban Ecology News, 2007.1.27
Dust and Mirrors. A way to tackle global warming? Or a distraction from the main issue - reducing greenhouse emissions?
The US government wants the world's scientists to develop technology to block sunlight as a way of halting global warming, such as giant mirrors in space or reflective dust pumped into the atmosphere, the Guardian (UK) reports.
Scientists have previously estimated that reflecting less than 1% of sunlight back into space could compensate for the warming generated by all greenhouse gases emitted since the industrial revolution.
But as EnviroLink reminds us, such large-scale "technofixes" have often "not been fully evaluated and carry the risk of unexpected environmental side effects. Moreover, they could draw attention and resources away from more practical efforts to reduce emissions of heat-trapping gases."
Meanwhile, the most obvious way of tackling global warming - reducing greenhouse emissions, for example US emissions - could perhaps warrant a bit more attention from the US Government.
Question: Will a myriad of small-scale technology applications be enough to stop global warming? Or will we end up resorting to grand projects with uncertain consequences?
Refer
US answer to global warming: smoke and giant space mirrors. David Adam, The Guardian, 2007.1.27