Hi all, Obviously I'm late to this conversation, but I have a quick question for those of you who were engaged -- were the comments many of you submitted in response to a draft plan or something similar made available by OSTP, or in response to a general call for thoughts on research and research governance? I assume it was the latter, but if it was the former can someone please pass along any relevant documents? Thanks.
Josh Horton On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2:14:25 AM UTC-4 Sev Clarke wrote: > My submission was: > > *THREE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS* > > > > *Introduction. *As harnessing industry is likely to be key to prompt and > effective climate action and investment, the text in blue bold below > indicates some of the industrial applications of the three conceptual > technologies. Some of them should be profitable. Most await independent > assessment, modelling, development, governance and deployment. Supporting > documentation is available on request. The three technologies are currently > under active investigation by a consortium of renowned research institutes. > > > > *Buoyant Flake Ocean Fertilization (BFOF)* is designed to nutriate > oligotrophic surface waters with the necessary nutrients. Rice husks rich > in opaline silica are coated in waste minerals containing iron, phosphate > and trace elements using hot-melt lignin glue derived from straw or woody > waste and a leavening agent to provide buoyancy. Reactive nitrogen is > provided by nutrient-supplemented cyanobacteria that convert atmospheric > nitrogen and CO2 into biomass. The flakes are pumped pneumatically from the > holds of bulk cargo ships thinly over the sea surface, into which flake > nutrients leach out over a year before the husks disintegrate and sink. > > > > Modelling should be able to establish the theoretical cooling effect > provided by increasing the albedo of these waters by increasing their > phytoplankton concentrations. Modelling and experimentation should also be > able to estimate the increase in marine biomass that would likely be > generated by such supplementary fertilization, together with its beneficial > effects on ocean de-acidification and the moving downwards (sequestration) > of the carbonaceous material contained in marine faeces, dead organisms, > marine ‘snow', flake residuals, and the bicarbonate released by bacterial > and chemical action. It has been estimated that this could sequester from > 6-13GtC/yr in the ocean depths - at very low cost, or even profitably. > > > > The ultra-slow release of nutrients into nutrient-poor, and increasingly > stratified, surface waters should allow a rich and stable marine ecology to > develop. Furthermore, it would tend to prevent eutrophication and toxicity > from occurring. The effectiveness of this proposed method has recently been > given a major boost, as it was realized that krill and other diel, > vertically-migrating (DVM) species form an Active Carbon Pump that, when > supplemented by increased phytoplankton numbers fed by the minerals > released by the buoyant flakes, could release sufficient carbon-rich faecal > pellets and respiration at depth fully to offset annual anthropogenic > carbon dioxide emissions. *The commercial opportunities offered by this > technology lie mainly in the additional fish catch or fishing royalties > that it could provide. In time, independently-verified carbon credits might > also become monetizable from proven carbon sequestration. The increase in > ocean cooling albedo caused by the solar-reflecting phytoplankton and their > cloud-thickening emissions is unlikely to be monetizable, though beneficial > to the biosphere and humanity. * > > > > Floating* Seatomizer* (seawater atomizing) units, powered by offshore > wind farms, could spray seawater into the lower atmosphere to humidify the > air, form high-albedo marine cloud, cool the surface water, restore coral > reefs, increase off-planet heat flow, and irrigate the land with > additional, gentle precipitation. BETE’s commercial spray nozzles, when > adapted to use higher and triphasic pressures, might generate droplets in > the right size distributions to produce sea salt aerosols, cloud > nucleation, atmospheric humidification up to the point where saturation > occurs, marine cloud forms or thickens, and rainfall or snow may be induced > to fall at predetermined distances downwind - saving crops, forests, and > homes. Performed in arctic warm seasons, ice albedo and thickness could be > protected. > > > > Anchored arrays of Seatomizer units should be able to have significant > regional cooling effects on the warming waters that power extreme weather > events. The main effect is to increase the rate of evaporation of seawater, > its turbulent uplift, and the subsequent long wave radiation of its > released vapour heat content, on condensation, into space. A recent > extension of this technology would allow for iron salt aerosols (ISA) to be > sublimated to generate photocatalytic aerosols that destroy harmful > atmospheric methane, black carbon, ozone and smog. *Economically cooling > selected marine waters, including those related to sensitive mariculture > operations. Desert re-greening.* > > > > The ice thickening concept of* Ice Shields* is designed to refreeze those > parts of the polar and subpolar oceans that have been progressively losing > ice for the last several decades, as well as to sequester surface ocean and > atmospheric CO2 and O2. The means used are cold-adapted, commercial > floating wind turbines powering seawater pumps to thicken, and possibly > ground, sea ice by up to seventy metres per year. Ice shield array growth > should: increase global albedo and cooling; stabilise the polar vortex; > save the ice sheets and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current (AMOC); > strengthen the marine biological pump; and help to control seabed methane > emissions. > > > > The carbon dioxide and oxygen sequestration in the depths would result > from the gases’ concentration in the fast chilling and salinating seawater > brine flowing intermittently in thin sheets and rivulets down the > gently-inclined, conical ice shields (like lava) and off them into the sea > to sink by density rapidly to the seabed. The arrays of ice shields could > eventually cover most of the polar regions and subpolar seas, leaving only > open water for polynyas and surface marine passage by ships and wildlife. > The brine flows would sequester for up to centuries the atmospheric > CO2 dissolved in them, as it would react with seabed carbonates (shells, > bones and limestone) to form benign, dissolved bicarbonate. The additional > oceanic oxygen and cooling would be beneficial to most marine life. > > > > The thermals resulting from the heat released by the freezing seawater > would convect ocean heat energy directly to the tropopause, whence it would > radiate, almost unhindered by the otherwise-insulating GHGs, into deep > space. In the non-freezing seasons, the seawater pumps could be applied to > spraying low-micron, seawater droplets into the atmosphere so that it > formed ice-protecting cloud cover. Some of the spare power might also be > used for Seatomizer-like methane destruction by ISA. *As corporate > involvement is likely to be an essential component of this solution, > profits might be derived from government contracts, carbon credits, coastal > stabilization, habitat protection, renewable Arctic wind power sufficient > to power most of the northern hemisphere, and the harvesting of ebullient > Arctic methane.* > > > > On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:57:15 AM UTC+10 Andrew Lockley wrote: > >> If anyone has drafted comments it would be great to see them here. >> >> A >> >> On Thu, 8 Sept 2022, 23:53 Ron Baiman, <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> >>> >>> >>> *Request for Public Comments:* >>> >>> >>> In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, the White House Office of >>> Science and Technology Policy <https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/legal/> >>> (OSTP), >>> in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, was directed by Congress to >>> develop a five-year “scientific assessment of solar and other rapid climate >>> interventions in the context of near-term climate risks and hazards. The >>> report shall include: >>> >>> 1. >>> >>> the definition of goals in relevant areas of scientific research; >>> 2. >>> >>> capabilities required to model, analyze, observe, and monitor >>> atmospheric composition; >>> 3. >>> >>> climate impacts and the Earth's radiation budget; and >>> 4. >>> >>> the coordination of Federal research and investments to deliver this >>> assessment to manage near-term climate risk and research in climate >>> intervention. >>> >>> >>> >>> OSTP recognizes the importance of this research topic. With the >>> assistance of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, OSTP is offering a >>> brief comment period to enable public input while also providing a timely >>> response to Congress. The focus of this plan will be on research >>> associated with climate intervention, and comments are being requested in >>> that context only. >>> >>> >>> >>> Input should be narrative only (i.e., no figures, graphics, or >>> attachments), should be limited to 1,000 words, should respond to the >>> Congressional direction above, and should relate either to one of the four >>> categories listed in legislative language or more generally to climate >>> intervention research. Input must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on >>> September 9, 2022. >>> >>> >>> >>> Posted, Aug 19, 2022 >>> >>> Open Notice, >>> https://www.globalchange.gov/content/request-input-five-year-climate-intervention-research-plan >>> >>> Individuals interested in submitting comment should visit >>> contribute.globalchange.gov >>> >>> *HPAC Submission* >>> >>> Healthy Planet Action Coalition USGCRP RCI Comment >>> >>> The Healthy Planet Action Coalition is a diverse international group of >>> scientists, engineers, technologists, and public policy experts active in >>> relevant fields spanning all aspects of climate change. >>> >>> We are united by a determined and informed optimism that a threefold >>> approach can prevent climate catastrophes and restore a more benevolent >>> climate. We call this approach “The Climate Triad”. >>> >>> The Climate Triad of Direct Climate Cooling (DCC), GHG Emissions >>> Reductions, and Greenhouse Gas Removal (GHGR) works as a complementary >>> system to stabilize and moderate the climate and ultimately restore a safe, >>> healthy, and sustainable planet. Creating this system requires a >>> collaborative, inclusive, and expedited research program with a priority >>> focus on direct climate cooling. HPAC offers these recommendations for >>> the development of such a program. >>> >>> >>> >>> (1) The definition of goals in relevant areas of scientific research >>> >>> >>> >>> The Healthy Planet Action Coalition calls on the White House to set >>> direct climate cooling, greenhouse gas removal and emission reduction as >>> co-equal priorities. An overall goal of keeping temperature rise below >>> 1.5°C could be achieved by a primary focus in this decade on cooling >>> technologies to increase planetary albedo, cut radiative forcing, and >>> implement other methods for direct climate cooling. Urgent direct climate >>> cooling is now necessary to reduce current and near term human and other >>> species harm and risk from current and near term future levels of global >>> warming. Due to this urgency, we ask that the proposed five year research >>> and implementation plan, depending on the method, be accelerated to one or >>> two years. >>> >>> >>> >>> The following is a menu of proposed climate cooling approaches that we >>> suggest merit early consideration and responsible investigation with >>> actions that can be monitored and reported on: >>> >>> - >>> >>> Buoyant Flakes >>> - >>> >>> Cirrus cloud thinning >>> - >>> >>> Fizz Tops (Fiztops) >>> - >>> >>> Ice Shields to thicken polar ice >>> - >>> >>> Iron salt aerosol (ISA) >>> - >>> >>> Making building and paving material more reflective and planting >>> trees in urban areas. >>> - >>> >>> Marine algal bloom stimulation >>> - >>> >>> Marine cloud brightening >>> - >>> >>> Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing (MEER) >>> - >>> >>> Ocean thermal energy conversion >>> >>> >>> - >>> >>> Restoring natural upwelling and kelp forest ecosystem services >>> offshore >>> - >>> >>> Restoring soil and vegetation >>> - >>> >>> Seawater atomization (Seatomizers) >>> - >>> >>> Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) >>> - >>> >>> Surface Albedo Modification (SAM) >>> >>> Short summaries for most of these methods written or reviewed by climate >>> cooling experts cited in the document are available here: >>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TowThwi6j6cX3iLGBRrj22D30cYhKa_9/edit >>> >>> >>> >>> Relevant scientific research on direct climate cooling methods and >>> technologies currently being conducted include marine cloud brightening, >>> stratospheric aerosol injection, sea-ice freezing, ocean thermal energy >>> conversion, ocean and glacier microspheres, terrestrial and atmospheric >>> mirrors, cirrus cloud thinning, iron salt aerosols, and white reflective >>> rooftops and streets. >>> >>> Refreezing the poles should be a global climate priority in support of >>> national and international security, biodiversity protection, and reducing >>> extreme weather and sea level rise. US encouragement of COP27 in Cairo to >>> set goals on albedo and biodiversity would sharpen research priorities. >>> >>> >>> >>> (2) Capabilities required to model, analyze, observe, and monitor >>> atmospheric composition >>> >>> >>> >>> A direct climate cooling program will require major capabilities in >>> atmospheric science, enabling scientific experts to provide direct advice >>> to government and industry on priorities and findings. Modeling, analysis, >>> observation and monitoring of the atmosphere must guide climate >>> intervention priorities and programs. Research, testing and deployment >>> strategies require high level scientific skills in universities, supported >>> by public and private investment. >>> >>> >>> >>> A way to encourage investment in cooling expertise is to introduce >>> direct climate cooling credits as a more immediate climate offset than >>> carbon credits. Coordination of atmospheric science with governance >>> systems is essential to enforce ethical standards, ensure safety and >>> consultation through transparent and accountable planning and delivery, and >>> link with international diplomacy on programs such as refreezing the Arctic. >>> >>> >>> >>> (3) Climate impacts and the Earth's radiation budget >>> >>> >>> >>> A focus on cooling technology is the best way to mitigate climate >>> impacts and improve the Earth’s radiation budget in the near term, >>> alongside ongoing work on emission reduction and GHG removal as they take >>> effect over the longer-term. The best overall measure of climate impacts is >>> radiative forcing, the excess of incoming over outgoing radiation at the >>> top of the atmosphere. Government and private funds should be applied to >>> methods that most effectively cut radiative forcing. Augmenting the >>> current carbon credit system with a system of direct climate cooling >>> credits would better cost the temperature impact of emission reduction, >>> greenhouse gas removal and direct cooling technology. >>> >>> >>> >>> (4) Coordination of Federal research and investments to deliver this >>> assessment to manage near-term climate risk and research in climate >>> intervention. >>> >>> >>> >>> The USA should coordinate with other nations to develop a cooperative >>> international program to refreeze the Arctic Ocean. Domestic US resources >>> should be mobilized to support coordinated global and regional climate >>> cooling. Arctic Amplification (with up to four times the temperature rise >>> of the equator) and the role of Arctic sea-ice in regulating climate >>> through the jet stream and ocean currents make the Arctic Circle the most >>> serious planetary warming risk and cooling priority. Substantial cooling >>> of the Arctic must be complemented by similar cooling of the Antarctic to >>> achieve a stable global climate benefit. Ongoing disruption of these >>> planetary systems is a major climate security risk, whereas action to >>> reverse the disruption has benefits for peacebuilding, biodiversity and >>> mitigation of warming. Climate security should be integrated with military >>> security as part of national strategic priority setting and risk >>> assessment. Diplomacy through the Arctic Council and COP27 and other >>> relevant international bodies should engage on the urgency of cooling the >>> pole, laying a foundation for the USA to work with other interested >>> governments to test and deploy methods that will help reverse the current >>> warming trend. Coordinated research and investment can be promoted by the >>> USA taking a strong stance at COP27 and in other relevant international >>> forums in favor of assessing direct cooling technology and refreezing the >>> Arctic Ocean. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "geoengineering" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/CAPhUB9AtiHkp7VHdDJBqBDG2DJAyOJ%2BJh5J%2BnmWQyY4TVoecpw%40mail.gmail.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/CAPhUB9AtiHkp7VHdDJBqBDG2DJAyOJ%2BJh5J%2BnmWQyY4TVoecpw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "geoengineering" group. 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