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����������������� Today’s big question: Geoengineering: Does it have a part to play in tackling climate change? Risks and benefits of: Thinking about: � Investing in research • Your own views • Others in society (grandchildren, into geoengineering people outside UK) � Deploying • Plants and animals geoengineering • The environment overall 2
�������������������������������� Geoengineering – countering or reversing climate change Two different types: 1.Ways of taking CO 2 out of the atmosphere once it’s there 2.Trying to stop the planet heating up so quickly, by stopping some of the sun’s energy hitting us. 3
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��������������������������� Greenhouse gases such as Carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere absorb heat leaving the Earth’s surface. We need Carbon dioxide… It occurs naturally in the atmosphere and without it, plants couldn’t grow and the Earth would be too cold to live on - without CO 2 , we wouldn’t be here. But what if we have too much? 5
�� 2 ������������������������� Source: zfacts.com Scientists are 90% sure this is due to human activity 6
����������������������� CO 2 … Rise in sea levels affects how much Extreme Extreme Countries Countries land we have to weather may fight live on and grow events over food, crops land and water 7
����������������������� CO 2 … Oceans become more acidic, Probably harming coral and sea other creatures creatures unexpected unexpected effects too 8
������������������� Scientists are doing What will the impacts research to find out how on us be? ? critical the climate change situation is. How far along the road are we? ? ? ? What will be the What is the potential for impacts on sudden and/or ? natural systems? irreversible change? ? But most scientists think that we should try and keep temperatures to a maximum of 2ºC above preindustrial …to avoid some of the biggest changes 9
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������������� �!����������� “Adapt” to “Mitigation” – stop emitting emitting changes changes Geoengineering – countering or reversing climate change 12
"���������#������������������� National Low carbon energy generation – wind, tidal, solar Emission trading schemes International International Taxing carbon and fossil Taxing carbon and fossil fuels agreements Waste minimization/landfill regulations Individual Energy standards for appliances, housing and Flying and driving less – insulating transport our homes – turning off appliances- using energy saving light bulbs and Carbon Capture and appliances – buying local Storage 13
$�������������������������������� It’s the preferred option But we will need to cut back a lot back a lot Could make Is it fair on Is it fair on a real poorer / developing difference to more rural economies? our way of nations? life in the UK 14
��������%�������������������� There is a limit to our ability to adapt UK and other highly Poor, less educated, industrialised countries or more isolated contribute most to communities could communities could emissions, and are emissions, and are find it harder best able to adapt. And adaptation could involve 20- 30% of species on Earth going extinct 15
�����������������������������&�' Geoengineering – countering or reversing climate change Two different types: Two different types: 1.Ways of taking CO 2 out of the atmosphere once it’s there 2.Trying to stop the planet heating up so quickly, by stopping some of the sun’s energy hitting us. 16
��������������������� NERC is considering how to approach research on geoengineering, and want to understand your viewpoints . Questions NERC are considering include whether to invest in geoengineering research, and if so… • Which areas to prioritise? • On what timescale? • What factors should we take into account? NERC is working with the Royal Society, EPSRC and Sciencewise- ERC to carry out this project. 17
���������&���������������������� Your views will: � help NERC to consider the ethical, moral and societal implications of geoengineering research funding � inform NERC priorities for 2010-2011, as well as NERC’s strategy, which is currently being reviewed NERC’s strategy, which is currently being reviewed The results will be available to other organisations with an interest in geoengineering. Government departments and agencies are involved in the process - some are also on the Steering Group. 18
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Ways of taking Stopping some of the carbon out of the sun’s energy hitting us atmosphere “Solar Radiation Management” “Carbon Dioxide Removal” (SRM) (CDR) Offsets the effects of increasing Removes carbon dioxide from greenhouse gas concentrations by greenhouse gas concentrations by the atmosphere to address the the atmosphere to address the causing the Earth to absorb less solar cause of climate change. radiation. Takes a long time to have a Can reduce temperatures relatively noticeable effect quickly Helps protect marine life. CO 2 Prevents the Earth warming up, dissolves in the surface waters of however will not help protect ocean the sea, making them more acidic life – as CO 2 is still present at high and harmful to sea life and coral levels in the atmosphere reefs – removing CO 2 from the atmosphere reduces acidification 21
�������)��*����$���&�� Air Capture Iron Fertilisation Afforestation Afforestation Liming the Bio- Ocean char 22
������$���������"��������� Sulphate particles Mirrors in Space Cloud Whitening White Roofs 23
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