What started my thinking about the environment was an article on the BBC news entitled “Earth Experiment Could Buy Precious Time.” I was struck by the title and decided to read it. This article outlines a solution for cooling the earth. Basically scientists would be looking to whiter the clouds and increasing reflectance. This idea seems logical and eco-friendly. To make the clouds whiter, you need to increase the number of water droplets and decrease the size of the droplets by injecting a sea salt spray. The advantages of this idea are using water from the ocean and if any big problems arise it can be turned off.
The technology behind this is incredible. A FLEET OF ABOUT 2000 WIND-POWERED YACHTS. The problems with the environment have jumped started research and new technology. The biggest problem of all is money. The estimate for this solution is $10 million. Where does this money come from? Should each country help support this solution? A little money here. A little money there. Until we have the total amount. Somehow this does not seem fair to me. Maybe we should be looking for less expensive solutions.
Clearly I have not fully formed my opinion. Some days I think we have to do something now before the problem gets worse. Other days I wonder what solution is the best? I am going to start looking at other solutions and technology including solar panels and wind energy. If you have any ideas I am completely open.
link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8214045.stm
ReplyDeleteForms of alternative energy have been brought up, but people do not seem to favor them...and there are also problems associated with some types. For example, wind turbines use natural wind to provide energy; however, states say that building turbines decreases the attractiveness of the land. People may not want to live there anymore. Also, constructing wind turbines on coasts would detract beach visitors and the like.
ReplyDeleteStart up costs are high, but in the end it pays off.
Is the world willing to do this now?
You also mention clouds in cooling the Earth. Clouds do increase reflectivity, but we also need sunlight.
In my next post I am looking at different technologies.
ReplyDeleteThe look of the lad is important to some people, but is the earth worth it. It just seems very vain if you are more worried about what the land looks like than how we can help the environment.
These changes are in no way little. Slowly people are adjusting and trying to change, but it will not happen over night.
"It just seems very vain if you are more worried about what the land looks like than how we can help the environment."
ReplyDelete^That is true...but you know how money and making profits are both important to businesses. Would you want to go to a beach filled with giant wind turbines that have the potential to fall and harm your safety? Or does a beach filled with a sunny sky and clear blue waters attract you more?
Just a thought...I'm not saying that I'm against going green though.