Vital Signs 2005- Vital Facts

[engin i. erdem]

http://reflectioncafe.blogspot.com/2005/05/vital-signs-2005-vital-facts.html

[Sam]

Some interesting data from worldwatch.org:
http://www.worldwatch.org/pres­s/news/2005/05/12/

Question is what should be done about it.

Sam

[virtue]

tough question, probably, we can take some action at multiple
levels..for example, we may support NGOs working in that field...

[Sam Carana]

I think we need to work out some ideas that could improve the situation. We can analyse and evaluate ideas in groups like this one. Then, we need to promote the best of these ideas for implementation.

 

Here's one such idea. How about positioning large mirrors in space pointing at Mars. When positioned above earth, such mirrors could deflect some of the sunlight normally shining on Earth away from Earth to Mars. This way, perhaps some of the negative effects of global warming could be avoided.
 

Sending our surplus heat to Mars will raise Mars' surface temperature, which now is well below zero (Mars is about 50 percent farther from the sun than Earth). Ice appears to exist on Mars' poles and increased heat will melt this ice. Spaceships have been sent to Mars before. They can be sent again to spread seeds to grow plants. Plants could be genetically modified to suit the Mars environment: 

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s453641.htm 

Photosynthesis will transform carbon dioxide in the Mars atmosphere into oxygen. More oxygen in the air would decrease the difference between cold and warm temperatures (now more than 100 degrees). Plants could be used for food. In short, terraforming Mars could result in human habitats built on Mars. Spaceships could sent people to Mars, thus avoiding over-population on Earth, while plants and minerals could be harvested on Mars and sent to earth in the returning spaceships.

 

To start the project, mirrors could be positioned above earth just like satellites, with solar panels attached. Sunlight will provide the power to keep the mirrors in geo-stationary position. By deflecting sunlight away from earth, the mirrors could be helpful in regard to global warming. Additionally, the power generated by solar panels could be sent to earth in the form of microwaves, thus providing clean power to earth. The mirrors could be partly financed for their function as communication satellites and for GPS location and navigation services.

 

Sam
 

[virtue]

interesting idea, i'm sure my old roommate could better assess this
proposal than me as he's doing post-doc study in astrophysics:)

[Sam]

Good to hear that! Feel encouraged to contact him to join the
discussions here!

[Sam]

I just like to add some comments here that came up in an email
discussion with Tanim on the above topic.

It's well worth considering releasing dust particles in the air to
reflect some of the sunlight, as an alternative to positioning mirrors
in orbit above Earth.

Tanim already mentions a few problems with the dust-particles approach,
such as difficulties in regulating the right amount of dust. It may
turn out that - in hindsight - too many dust-particles have been
released in the atmosphere and that it will be quite a problem getting
them out again.

Another problem is that the dust-particles method will affect the
climate everywhere on earth. Mirrors can work much more selectively,
preventing sunlight to shine on a desert area and thus making it more
habitable, while keeping the climate elsewhere the same as it was. The
latter may also be politically more attractive. And while there is also
a risk of mirrors taking away too much sunlight, this can be regulated
more immediately than trying to take dust particles out of the air.

We need to evaluate each of these methods, using feasibility,
effectiveness and cost as some of the criteria. Included in the
evaluation should be the measures currently taken by many nations, such
as encouraging the use of alternative power sources, such as solar
power, wind power, heat pumps, etc.

The terraforming effect on Mars of mirrors in orbit above Earth may
initially be minimal. If the project seeks to terraform Mars, we may
also have to put mirrors close to Mars or on the planet itself, in
order to sufficiently heat it up. Some of the sunlight may also have to
be directed back to the sun, at times when Mars is not in the spotlight
or if it's to hard to aim at Mars.

Initially, the main object of the project will be to reduce global
warming. This may give us valuable experience in putting mirrors in
orbit around a planet - experience that can be used later, if we do
decide to put mirrors in orbit around Mars as well. Furthermore, the
terraforming aspects may just create the little extra interest in the
project to make it feasible. Media coverage of the project (and
possible revenue from this) is important.

Colonizing Mars would be a nice insurance policy if something
catastrophic happened to Earth. Indeed, colonizing Mars may be a
long-term project, but it's one way of spreading the risk against
meteors hitting earth or any other catastrophic event happening on
earth. This will also make it an interesting project for the media to
cover. Selling rights to the media to cover the project could raise
part of the funding that will initially be required to make a start
with it.

But rather than putting all our eggs into this basket, we should
continually evaluate all alternatives that address specific problems,
such as global warming and the need for energy. In terms of the latter,
geothermal energy, solar and wind power are all alternatives for
consideration and ongoing evaluation and analysis. Quite likely, in
some places, some will be more applicable than elsewhere. As said, we
should evaluate all these alternatives and do a comparison on things
like cost, benefits, risk, feasibility, etc.

What I propose is to do such evaluation and discussion of alternatives
here, as an international effort, in places such as these groups. Sure,
there are many academics already studying questions like this and there
are many government-appointed committees looking at funding and
regulating things. But by discussing alternatives relatively freely in
groups like this, we can avoid political and commercial pressure
influencing or even determining the outcome of such evaluations.

Many projects have been proposed. This ambitious project could capture
the eye of the media and the imigination of the public and all who
would like to contribute to the project. But as said, a decent
evaluation is a prerequisite and any such project should remain one out
of many alternative approaches to the various problems.

I thank Tanim for his contribution, I hope everyone will stay
interested. We should continue to discuss things out in the open and I
welcome ideas from all who are interested.

Sam

[virtue]

it seems that you have a very nice conversation with Tanim, Sam:), he's
very intelligent and humble guy....