geo-engineering - the great big hope?

Recently almost all the enviro articles that I've been reading involve the topic of geoengineering so its about time that its blogged. Geoengineering would involve the deliberate modification of Earth's environment on a large scale 'to suit human needs and promote habitability' according to wiki. Typically, the term is used to describe proposals to counter the effects of human-induced climate change.

Some techniques are based on carbon sequestration that seek to reduce GHGs in the atmosphere. They also include ocean iron fertilization, solar radiation management etc. Ocean iron fertilization is at the final stages of research and so far no large-scale geo-engineering projects have been planned.

Ocean iron fertilization is introduction of iron to the oceans. Fertilization supports the growth of marine phytoplankton blooms by physically distributing microscopic iron particles in nutrient-rich, but iron-deficient, ocean waters. An increasing number of ocean labs, scientists and businesses are exploring it as a means to revive declining plankton populations, restore healthy levels of marine productivity and sequester billions of tons of CO2 to reduce global warming and ocean acidification. Since 1993, ten international research teams have completed ocean trials demonstrating the effect. However, controversy over its safety and efficacy remain. Whilst increasing plankton population in the oceans will solve one half of the problems associated with climate change, the problem of already acidic oceans cannot be solved through this method.

In order to neutralize the oceans, scientists now propose adding limestone to restore the oceans to their previous alkaline state. Limestone mining however is an energy intensive process. Adding iron to oceans can increase algal blooms. My head refuses to wrap itself around the avoidance of negative affects by adding stuff to over 70% of the Earth's environs or even how you can experimentally prove the same on a scale as large as this with so many parameters for control.

Other geoengineering projects in the pipe-line include brightening clouds in order to increase cloud reflectivity so the albedo of the Earth is altered. Whilst I applaud all the technology and acknowledge that in the times of little hope, this offers a glimper of something like it; I remain dubious on the side-effects - are we planning on jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

rainforests of the ocean

I had the opportunity to go to Lakshadweep which are a group of islands off the west coast of India in September 2008. The entire archipelago is built on dead coral beds giving the islands white sandy beaches and crystalline blue-green waters. It was visually stunning and definitely one of the most beautiful places I've been to.

It is home to some of the most stunning coral formations as well as sea-turtles, reef sharks, rays etc. Its delicate reef ecosystem is a reminder of how precious our natural biodiversity is. Almost all of the corals surrounding the islands were destroyed by the El Niño phenomenon but now show signs of recovery. To truly enjoy the splendor of the reefs snorkeling or scuba diving is a must. It immediately puts into perspective your smallness in the grand scheme of things. 2008 was the year of the coral reef - coral reefs all over the world are endangered as a result of human activity. Corals are very sensitive to temperature, salinity and acidity - all of which are being affected by global warming. Humans are effectively changing the balance of the last great frontier - the ocean systems.

Coral reefs support a plethora of species and are a hot-spot for biodiversity; much like the rainforests. They support 25% of all marine life and almost every marine creature spends part of its life cycle in coral reefs along with many species of fish which are of commercial importance. Apart from this, it buffers the shoreline from wave action. Places with healthy coral reefs and mangrove forests were found to be less damaged after the 2004 tsunami.

Threats to reefs apart from global warming include tourism, bottom trawling, blast mining of coral and pollution. Collapse of the reefs means decline of fish stocks, loss of biodiversity and subsequent loss of economy. 20% of the world's coral reefs have been effectively destroyed and show no immediate prospects of recovery. Scientists seem to be pessimistic about the future, with some reefs expected to vanish by 2020.

Coral reefs need to be protected to ensure future posterity. The way to do this is to reassess the way we live. Think about what you use as it eventually ends up in the ocean regardless of how near or far you are from the coast.