The Arctic increases quickly, but scientists say the polar geological engineering is “unrealistic” and “dangerous”

For years, scientists were manipulating the idea of ​​artificial climate modification through geological engineering – especially in the Arctic, which is warming Four times faster than the rest of the world.

The main suggestions include artificial fish, enrichment of the ocean with iron and launching sunscreen molecules in the air to reduce the effect of warming from the sun.

Although the feasibility of these ideas have always been doubtful, researchers now say in a new study, they are sure that they are a waste of time and money.

A large part of the group met with a common voltage after COP28 in Dubai, when they met with polar geological engineering technology. For the paper, they looked at five of the most current geological engineering proposals that are currently being considered for use in polar areas and found that they all failed basic feasibility criteria and they can do “severe environmental damage.”

The results they reached in the magazine have been published The boundaries in science on monday.

“There is a lot of wrong hope, which indicates that a little intervention will solve the problem,” said Martin Sumer, from the co -author of the World Fund.

“There are no shortcuts in fact to install climate change. … Our research really shows that there is a long -term commitment required for many years.”

We do not know enough

“With the nominal value, many of these techniques are logical logical … but as soon as you start thinking about the matter in practice, do not do it,” said Helen Amanda Fricker, a professor of ocean sciences at the University of California in San Diego and one of the main authors of the study.

She said the issue is that most people do not realize the size of some ice sheets – “behind human understanding.”

It focused on passing all the literature published on the removal of basal water from the bottom of the ice rivers to prevent it from moving quickly. She said the strategy has a lot of logistical issues.

The last paper was a collective effort, but the researchers worked on specific sections, looking for the most common geological engineering methods, evaluating its feasibility, effectiveness, cost, and how they could govern them and possible negative consequences.

“We did so completely and it took a long time and it was systematically,” said Fricker.

Even if the solutions will work locally-although it still does not find realistic-there are still second-class consequences in other parts of the world.

“Even if you try to cool the Arctic by helping the marine ice to continue for a longer period, you still heat the medium purchases or the equator,” Struff told CBC News.

“Then all your storms will be activated to bring this extra heat to the polar areas, because this is what our weather patterns do.”

She said projects like Solar GeoenGineering in the Arctic may be technically possible, but can have unintended consequences, such as disrupting rainfall in the global south.

The paper also reminds how investing more resources in geological engineering research will distract from what researchers say is really required: a decrease in carbon emissions – quickly.

A distraction from carbon removal?

However, others do not agree.

Steve Dish, a professor of astronomical physics at Arizona State University. He believes that climate change processing will require multiple ways, but is not surprised by the conclusions of the paper.

“This is not the first time that we face this type of position, and I think it is a very reaction to the knee and a naive skill to the reality of our time,” he said.

“I think the role of scientists is to explore the material and technological repercussions of different things and stakeholders who suffer from different costs and benefits of options, then let everyone decide.”

Dish explained that he does not believe that anyone involved in geological engineering will say that he should replace carbon removal.

“We all agree to remove carbon is essential,” he said. “But in the meantime, we should not explore these other options to prevent things from the worst as well?”

Dish witnessed progress in his own research, as he was fabricated artificially by pumping water on it. Although he says more research is needed, he sees potential to do so to part of the Arctic.

“We are confident that the effects that had pale compared to the full loss of the marine ice, which we go to.”

Governance Challenges

Greg Henry worked in the Arctic for more than 40 years. He saw directly how the Arctic changes quickly.

“The speed of what is happening is the frightening part, and I can understand the reason for our presence in the stage in which these scientists and engineers suggest these projects on the scale of planets to buy time for us mainly.”

Henry, a professor of honorary geography at the University of British Columbia, says he understands the reason for people looking for solutions, but he still finds risky geological engineering.

He believes that resources should focus on carbon removal, instead.

Henry said: “We do not really have a complete understanding of what will happen if we throw a full range of particles in the stratosphere,” Henry said.

Although some large volcanic eruptions have been proven to cool the planet, it says it is difficult to repeat anything on this range, and it is not clear how projects like this will affect the indigenous population societies in the Arctic.

“These projects are huge, very expensive and risky with unintended consequences, it seems ridiculous to take them.”

Henry refers to China as an example of a country that is advancing towards carbon and solar energy. He says that for political reasons – to reduce its dependence on foreign oil – and the easiest implementation because of its current political system, but it indicates that it is possible to change.

“You can say that our most progressive government in Canada does not really jump to the challenge here,” he said. “I personally think (carbon removal) should be one of the big liberal government projects.”