I think that the real problem that skeptics have with climate change advocates is the obvious political underpinnings behind mainstream climate science. Specifically, climatologists continually claim that the only solution to climate change is to stop burning fossil fuels in order to reduce CO2 emissions and replace the energy production with wind and solar. The problem with this is that such a statement ignores basic science, demonstrates an incredible inability to think critically and an unimaginable lack of imagination. In short, these climate change advocates are one trick ponies when it comes to controlling climate change. Somehow we are to believe that some of the supposedly “greatest minds in science” are too stupid to think of any other solution to climate change other than to stop burning fossil fuels by replacing them with wind and solar. Obviously, this is idiotic. The only rational explanation is that such scientists are politically motivated. This article will utterly expose this obvious political motivation by listing a plethora of alternative methods of controlling climate change that are both obvious and much more effective than replacing the burning of fossil fuels with wind and solar.
First, in order to understand the alternative approaches to controlling climate change, a little background is required. Specifically, one must understand the “forcing mechanisms” that cause climate change as well as the sources of CO2 within the atmosphere. With respect to climate change, internal forcing mechanisms include ocean-atmosphere variability and life. External forcing factors include orbital variations, solar output, volcanism, plate tectonics and human influences. If we accept that CO2 is a main driver of today’s climate change warming, then in addition to fossil fuel consumption we must also consider ocean-atmospheric exchange, plant and animal respiration, photosynthesis, soil respiration and decomposition and volcanic eruptions. Let’s take a look at all of these things and see what solutions we can come up with.
Let’s look at ocean-atmosphere exchange first. CO2 is a soluble gas that dissolves in the oceans and is taken up by marine plants. There is a natural cycle in which CO2 is absorbed from the atmosphere in cooler and more biologically active areas of the ocean and released back to the atmosphere in warmer, less biologically active areas. Using 2011 numbers, ocean-atmosphere exchange resulted in 330 billion metric tons of CO2 being released into the atmosphere. This is a huge number, an order of magnitude larger than burning fossil fuels. And yet, there is little if any research going into technology to influence this exchange for our benefit (reducing CO2 emissions). For example, we could reduce the rate of physical mixing that stirs deep water to the surface. Centuries of respiration produce high CO2 levels in the deep ocean and much of this CO2 is released when deep waters are brought up to the surface. We could also stimulate the growth of algae that consume CO2 on the surface and later transfer that carbon to the deep ocean when they die.
Orbital variations (Milankovitch cycles) have a large impact on climate. In fact, they are noted for their correlation to glacial and interglacial periods, and more of a glacial period is apparently just what we need right now. The IPCC does note that Milankovitch cycles drove the ice age cycles. To be clear, Milankovitch cycles are the result of variations in the Earth’s eccentricity (oval orbit versus a perfect circle), the tilt of the Earth’s axis of rotation and precession. Perihelion or Apsidal precession is the fact that the Earth’s orbit around the Sun rotates, tracing out a flower petal pattern and is a major cause of climate oscillation on Earth. While technologically daunting, we could potentially find a way to influence the orbital variations of the Earth to our benefit or nudge the Earth into a slightly farther orbit, thus reducing the solar input into our atmosphere.
Granted, that last one is a bit far-fetched, but it leads us to the concept of reducing the input of solar heat into the Earth’s atmosphere or reducing solar output. To reduce the input of solar heat into the Earth’s atmosphere, we simply need a “sunshield”. We could send up numerous spacecraft to the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point and essentially block a portion of the solar radiation coming to Earth, thus cooling the planet. Conversely, it might be possible to develop technology to reduce the solar output of the Sun. Climates millions of years ago had many times the amount of CO2 that we have today but the Sun was weaker than it is today.
Another way to go would be to promote volcanism. Volcanism actually has a cooling effect on the Earth and releases relatively little CO2 compared with other natural processes. This is because volcanic eruptions release large amounts of SO2 into the atmosphere and the optical properties of SO2 and sulfate aerosols strongly absorb and scatter solar radiation. We drop a few MOAB’s down the neck of some inactive or active volcanoes and simply get them fired back up again or encourage an eruption. And we would only need one or two of these. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991 affected the climate substantially as global temperatures decreased by about 0.5 degrees Celsius.
We could also engage in a bit of continental reengineering. The position of the continents determines the geometry of the oceans and therefore influences patterns of ocean circulation. The locations of the seas are important in controlling the transfer of heat and moisture across the globe, and therefore, in determining global climate. We might, for example, blow a hole in the Isthmus of Panama to allow the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to mix more freely.
Obviously what we have covered thus far are solutions on a grand scale that are likely largely infeasible. Except for the sunshield. I mean, duh, if you are getting too hot, fire up an umbrella. But, let us move on to more terrestrial solutions that are far less science fiction.
First up is nuclear fission. This one here, more than any other, demonstrates the absurd political underpinnings of mainstream climate scientists. Why? Because the introduction of more nuclear reactors solves the problem of fossil fuel burning today yet is not promoted at all by climate scientists. Climate scientists can’t promote nuclear reactors because environmentalists hate nuclear reactors. And yet, today’s nuclear reactors are many times more powerful and efficient than solar and wind. Consider that to generate the United States baseload electric power it would take approximately $30 trillion dollars and an area the size of Indiana with wind power. For solar, it would take about $20 trillion dollars and solar panels all across our southwest deserts. For nuclear, we could to it for as low as $1 trillion dollars on a few square miles of land. Also consider that a sunshield would cost $5 trillion dollars, just saying. But, nuclear fission reactors never enter the conversation, proving that climate scientists aren’t really about saving the planet and only about the politics.
Similarly, we could invest in research to speed up the creation of a viable nuclear fusion reactor, which is probably only about 20 years away anyway. Nuclear fusion reactors are effectively the opposite of nuclear fission reactors and essentially replicate the process that powers the Sun. And yes, we have achieved nuclear fusion, and yes we are making major breakthroughs and no, nobody in climate science ever talks about it.
We could also promote more plant growth, probably something like algae or Azolla in the oceans or arctic. The process of photosynthesis removes CO2 from the air. The Azolla event in the mid Eocene epoch actually drew out 80% of the CO2 in the atmosphere, transforming the Earth from a “greenhouse Earth” state to the “icehouse Earth” state we have today. Yes Virginia, we live in an icehouse Earth state today, despite what climatologists might tell you.
Pollution. The human production of aerosols or pollutants actually has a cooling effect on the Earth because the pollutant particles reflect, absorb and scatter solar radiation. Nobody really wants pollution, but if pollution can save the planet, and that’s what we’re talking about here right? Saving the planet from the disastrous, terrible, awful effects of climate change that will destroy all of humanity? Then why not a little more pollution? Simple, effective and I guarantee we have the technology and yet, like nuclear fission, never enters into dialogues around controlling climate change because it is not what environmentalists want, further proving that climate change science is not about saving the planet but instead simply promoting environmentalist politics.
Now, let’s continue on with a much more controversial solution, wiping out large parts of the human and/or animal population. The average human releases 365 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere annually. This is generally considered a carbon neutral effect since the carbon expelled during breathing was recently taken out of the air by plants, which were eaten by said human to sustain their metabolic processes. Fair enough, but that only goes so far. You see, if we can grow more plants to help take CO2 out of the air, a sudden adjustment of the population, say wiping out 25 million North Koreans, that would remove 9 million metric tons of “anthropogenic” CO2 emissions per year. Some might view that as a “win-win” as it were. Good of the many outweighs the good of the few, or the one. Again, we are talking about climate change wiping out all of humanity correct? But, understandably, if you are a bit squeamish about intentional genocide to save the rest of humanity, we could always just kill all of the birds as that would solve global warming and also provide A Cure for the Flu. Again, win-win.
I could continue on with solutions, including things like banning all aviation travel, the most costly form of travel in terms of CO2 emissions and on and on and on without ever even approaching solar and wind solutions. Again, what this proves is that climate scientists are not really interested in actually solving the problem of today’s current climate change because we could do that today through nuclear fission reactors and pollution. No, their science is simply a sham to prop up environmentalist policies plain and simple. Otherwise, if the future of humanity was really at stake, then all options would be on the table. And yet, nobody talks or even hints at these alternative solutions or takes them seriously because the sole purpose of climate change science is to promote solar and wind power and to punish large, technologically progressive countries like the United States and transfer its wealth to smaller countries. It is a sham and it calls into question every piece of research, every model and every data point that has ever been conducted on climate change. And the scientists have done it to themselves because they have allowed themselves to become nothing but political hacks. Scientists, wake up. If you are really serious about the science then stop being a political one trick pony and actually get serious about solving the problem.
The Objective Observer 