...//... Assessment of Global Warming and of Mitigation Methods Using Albedo Enhancement from Algae, Cloud, and Land

[Renaud de RICHTER]

Lightburn, Kenneth D. "Can a Symbolic Mega-Unit of Radiative Forcing (RF) Improve Understanding and Assessment of Global Warming and of Mitigation Methods Using Albedo Enhancement from Algae, Cloud, and Land (AEfACL)?." Climate 11.3 (2023): 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli11030062

https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/11/3/62/pdf?version=1698835102

Abstract

By expressing radiative forcing (RF) in a symbolic mega-unit we better communicate, to governing organizations and the public, the extent of global warming (GW) and the potency of mitigation methods while also ‘translating’ different GW measures to better explain their interrelationship. An easily visualized symbol that has been suggested is the net shading, or mega-unit, of RF of a “standard 1 km² cumulus cloud over one day of −25 W/m²” (ScCd). As defined, ScCd is equal to 600,000 kWh and equivalent to Temporary heat radiation Equivalent Carbon (ThrEC) of 18,400 tons of carbon heat effect, or 67,300 tons of CO₂ and an approximately 0.136 albedo increase, over 1 km². Shading over the whole earth caused by clouds is estimated by NASA as −13 W/m². The excess of solar radiation or Earth Energy Imbalance (EEI) striking the earth was + 1.12 W/m² in mid-2019 and has been continually increasing. Offsetting this requires the creation of additional reflective surfaces equivalent to 22.848 million square kilometers of ScCd. Such an increase could be provided by albedo enhancement from algae on the ocean surface, marine cloud brightening (MCB) or new marine cloud creation, or land area use that rejuvenates salt flats and similar locations (AEfACL). These are potentially politically acceptable and eventually could be achieved at large enough scale to be effective globally.

Keywords:

albedo enhancement; artificial upwelling; albedo; ocean fertilization; radiative forcing; global warming; mitigation; climate change; standard cloud; regenerative agriculture

[Ronal Larson]

Renaud , list,  Ken, adding Ye Tao

1.  Thanks for bringing the Lightburn paper to our attention.

2.  I have read the paper only moderately closely;  I find nothing wrong and find some new ways to both explain the importance of albedo and to increase it., Also, it seems to have the same general flavor as considerable similar albedo correspondence on this list of Dr. Ye Tao.   So my first. question is to Dr.  Tao - whether there is any part of the Lightburn paper with which you would take exception?   

And hoping then for further dialog between Ken and Dr.  Tao.

3.   My interest in the topic comes mainly from the CDR approach called “biochar” - which is generally not now considered part of “Geo”, but I think can be supportive to albedo increase.  One way is emphasizing growth of plants with higher albedo.  But I'm afraid there isn’t much to be gained there.  Or, is there some hope?   I have seen one tree with almost white leaves.

 

4.  But there may be hope for a stronger biochar/albedo connection by emphasizing the use of plants with both high growth rate AND that emit particles that can increase the quality and quantity of clouds of the right type.  Clearly there are almost no clouds with deserts - where there are no plants.  I believe it is also well established that different types of trees emit different particles (all emit water), and perhaps some plants are known to encourage clouds.  We seem destined to have plenty of biochar growth in the near future - and we might as well get as much new albedo as we can. 

Where do I find literature on cloud-forming plants?

Ron

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[Ronal Larson]

Ken et al, adding Tom Goreau (who probably is well aware of DMS)

Thanks for the response, especially your below using the term “DMS”.

I spent much of the day chasing that word and found an amazing amount on the subject - much in the last few year..  There are clearly many things still to learn but climate modelers seem now able to pretty well predict the dozen or so chemical transformations that happen over a day or so as DMS changes to encourage clouds.

I never found a paper saying that DMS could be a practical method for increasing albedo, but I’m now pretty sure that’s on some minds.  Being natural, it should solve a lot of practical problems in carrying out simple cloud albedo experiments.

I have followed the Sargasso biomass possibility for several years.  There are people doing something similar - even including biochar aspects - but I now have more interest in DMS.   Maybe can be coupled with biochar.

More coming, hopefully.

Ron

On Dec 16, 2023, at 9:52 AM, Ken Lightburn <k...@helpoffset.org> wrote:

Hi Ronal

Thanks for your communication. Here is a wild idea or two.

If you look to the sea you might find sufficient plant material for your biochar requirements which seem inadequate elsewhere and expensive to transport. If we could inoculate other oceans successfully with Sargasso, then it will wash onto new coastlines. If the Indian Ocean were inoculated the Sagasso may wash onto the Somalia coast near the desert and be buried by the surf thus rotting and yielding DMS and similar for cloud generation. Clouds do sometimes form near deserts, near and if edged by, an ocean. 

Any washing ashore near habitation could be used for fertilizing crops thus sequestering carbon and any surplus tonnage could be dried and burnt as biochar.

It may also be worth a study of the effects of Sagasso on microplastics. Perhaps it will also help clean the oceans. Could it possibly engulf any of it? Unlikely.

  

Stay cool,

Ken Lightburn B.E. (Mech Eng) M.B.A.

Founder/ President 914 428 8425

Help Offset Global Warming Foundation

17 Hillcrest Vw, Hartsdale,New York 10530

www.HelpOffset.org

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From: Ronal Larson <rongre...@comcast.net>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2023 11:44 PM
To: Renaud de RICHTER <renaud.d...@gmail.com>; Geoengineering <geoengi...@googlegroups.com>; Ye Tao <t...@rowland.harvard.edu>
Cc: Ken Lightburn <k...@helpoffset.org>
Subject: Re: [geo] ...//... Assessment of Global Warming and of Mitigation Methods Using Albedo Enhancement from Algae, Cloud, and Land