[extropy-chat] Trees

[Eugen Leitl]

On Sun, Jan 09, 2005 at 07:38:47PM -0600, Extropian Agroforestry Ventures Inc. wrote:

> A solar energy satellite-based  redirection project  to intensify solar 
> energy availablity in the mid and north latitudes

Allright, what's the price tag to launch 100 kT to some 2 Mm orbit, and even
assuming pure hydrogen/oxygen motors, how much havoc will this wreck to the
atmosphere?

I mean, really.

> might become a backup just in case we get our first shot of rebound cold 
> before we get the polar caps sucessfully melted and
> learn to control the new more dynamic ecosystem. 

We don't know what we're doing, but we'll just double the effort.
 
> One of the most dangerous things today is the use of annual species for 
> ag production.

One of the most idiotic thing is mismanagement of existing biosystems.

E.g. if you try to prevent periodic burns in SoCal, you only accrue
combustibles, and the eventually resulting conflagration will be much harder
to control.

> If some disaster or crisis removed the farmer  from the picure worldwide 
> for more than
> 2 years the seed necessary to replace the crops could be nonexistant.
> Moving the ag production genetics into perennial species is one way to 
> alter the CO2 use VS creation ratio.

Want to reduce CO2, invest in building insulation. And passive solar.

What is government there for if not to enforce unpopular decisions? Giving
hefty tax breaks for this should be sufficient motivation.
 
> 
> Mike Lorrey wrote:
> 
> >--- Dan Clemmensen <dgc at cox.net> wrote:
> > 
> >
> >>Spike proposed converting a couple of otherwise-unused  states in the
> >>western US into tree farms, and did the math. The problem with this
> >>approach is water. 
> >>   
> >>
> >
> >Water availability is synergistic with forest growth, as forests create
> >their own climate, but they will likely need some kick starting. For
> >example, I would support the flooding of Death Valley here in the US,
> >as well as the Great Rift Valley in eastern Africa to help alter local
> >weather systems. The Lake Effect from both new bodies of water (as well
> >as their feeding local aquifers) should help act as a seed for forest
> >growth.
> >
> > 
> >
> >>As an alternative,
> >>we can encourage the reconversion of marginal farmland in the eastern
> >>US: this actually makes economic sense. 
> >>   
> >>
> >
> >Western Americans may not realize it, but this has already occured. NH
> >was once 90% cleared, it is now 90% forest. This is typical of much of
> >the eastern states. The problem with forests really isn't in North
> >America. Our forest growth already absorbs our emissions (which is why
> >we didn't buy into Kyoto, because Europe didn't want us to be able to
> >count that forest sequestration, they wanted it shared with everyone).
> >
> >The real problem with forestation is in Africa and Asia. Solving this
> >means tying foreign aid to reforestation. Southern europe, Turkey, and
> >the middle east could stand some effort in this direction as well.
> >
> >Too heavy reforestation WILL plunge us into an ice age, however, as the
> >influence of CO2 on climate is steepest at lower concentrations. CO2's
> >influence follows a diminishing returns curve with increasing 
> >concentration.
> >
> >=====
> >Mike Lorrey
> >Vice-Chair, 2nd District, Libertarian Party of NH
> >"Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
> >It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
> >                                     -William Pitt (1759-1806) 
> >Blog: http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sadomikeyism
> >
> >
> >		
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> > 
> >
> 

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-- 
Eugen* Leitl <a href="http://leitl.org">leitl</a>
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