[extropy-chat] Save the World

[Olie Lamb]

On 2/14/07, Gary Miller <aiguy at comcast.net> wrote:
>
> Couldn't we dim the sky just over the icecaps so that it would not impact
> algae growth.
>

Dude, that's where the least solar radiation falls, and has the highest
albedo (1) - very little solar radiation (proportionately) is absorbed at
the poles.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albedo

Instead of trying to fuck around with dimming the sky, at least first look
into increasing albedo, by doing stuff like setting up Hyuuuge mirrors in
deserts...

This has all been thoroughly researched, tho. It may address "global
warming" by cooling the planet, but (1) it won't restore a CO2 balance, (2)
it won't necessarily bring us back to the lovely, stable and relatively
uncommon stable warmth of the past 8k years, because any change in albedo
may create new, unpredictable weather vectors , and (3) it won't win you
Branson's cash.

As paleoclimatologist Richard B Alley said (or something like it)

Global climate is like a drunk: If left alone, a drunk will stay put, but
when pushed, he may panic, stagger, fall and break his neck. The global
climate is highly sensitive to disturbances and highly unpredictable.

Reducing emissions is a pretty obvious way to reduce the chance of a
precipitous push.  Barring that, if CO2 scrubbing can be done better than
the current scrubbers, and someone's willing to foot the bill, it might help
to balance things a little...

-- Olie
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