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CO2 reduction favoured over untried geoengineering
SMC Alert
02/09/09
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CO2 reduction favoured over untried geoengineering
A year-long Royal Society of London study looking at geoengineering techniques designed to combat climate change suggests such schemes could be a viable "plan B" if nations fail to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more conventional means.
"It is an unpalatable truth that unless we can succeed in greatly reducing CO2 emissions we are headed for a very uncomfortable and challenging climate future, and geoengineering will be the only option left to limit further temperature increases," said Professor John Shepherd, who chaired the Royal Society's study Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty.
The Royal Society of New Zealand has produced a companion paper to the study, looking at geoengineering schemes most relevant to New Zealand.
"Despite the difficulties, the Royal Society of New Zealand considers that several schemes could become particularly important given New Zealand's situation and deserve further research," notes the paper.
NIWA scientist Dr Phil Boyd, who contributed to the Royal Society of London study added: "This document will be the benchmark guide for policy makers, scientists and other interested parties as it covers a wide range of geoengineering topics from technology to ethics and governance."
The Royal Society of New Zealand noted that the side-effects and consequences of many of the geoengineering schemes covered in the study are not well understood, but that some of them "deserve further attention from New Zealand".
From the Royal Society of New Zealand paper:
On afforestation:
"Afforestation is the
simplest way to remove carbon from the atmosphere and has a
role to play for New Zealand. Using the wood to produce
biochar and biofuels could be major new industries if it can
be proven and verified
thaInformation
ENDS
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