Air Pollution and Emission Control Essay Example

to implement geoengineering procedures. Cicerone, proposed the procedure by which geoengineering research should be done and published. In his point of view, geoengineering research on intentionally sulfur particles injection should be conducted in parallel with attempts to greenhouse gases control measures. Cicerone gave some examples of scientific publication in the field of geoengineering with useful points, some of which search fund in governmental organizations. For example; using IR lasers in dissociating CFC’s in lower atmosphere to reduce their flow into the stratosphere. Or, fertilizing oceans iron to draw more carbon dioxide from air. (Cicerone, 2006)

Researchers at Harvard have put forward a new plan to reduce global warming that is less expensive than previous plans. Reducing global warming by aerosol injection into the atmosphere is possible, but the program will be expensive. In a new study, Harvard researchers looked at the capabilities and costs of various methods of delivering aircraft to the stratosphere, known as the Stratosphere Injection (SAI). They evaluated the costs and capabilities of a solar energy engineering project that began 15 years ago. The goal of this project is to reduce human pollution by applying the materials at a height of about 20 kilometers. Dr. Gernot Wagner, a professor at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, said solar energy engineering is often described as a fast, inexpensive, and defective method. Since there is no judgment on the optimal conditions for aerosol injection into the stratosphere, a hypothetical plan had been proposed and has been going on for 15 years now. Although the program is ambitious, it will be technically accurate. The cost the program will be significantly less than any other

projects. The research group estimates its project costs to be less than $ 2 billion a year. (Smith & Wagner, 2018)

Keith et al believe sulfate aerosol injecting into the troposphere however, is a common proposal in geoengineering, contribute to the risk of ozone loss and heating stratosphere in the lower tropical. As a result more water would be evaporated, therefore more will loss and water vapor will cause surface warming. In Keith’s proposed method hydrogen halides, nitric and sulfuric acids convert to stable salts by using solid aerosol containing alkaline metal salts. The stable salts reduce and/or reverse the ozone depletion. (Keith, et all, 2016)

Pearl on his article at Climate Institute website propose some localized albedo enhancement strategies which are beneficial for decreasing greenhouse gases emission. She points out although, scientist have been conducting research on geoengineering strategies for enhancing stratospheric albedo, all of which are potentially effective, further research is needed for implementing them in the global scale. Painting urban surfaces white or coating them by reflective materials, Urban Albedo Enhancement, is one of the localized albedo enhancement strategies which could be practical. This strategy will decrease surface’s heat adsorbing capacity, therefore reduced the need for utilizing air conditioners, consequently less emission of CO2 for generating required energy. (Pearl, 2019)

Conclusion

Drawing upon the reasons, I am of the deep conviction that SO2 has some bad effects on the hemisphere like acid rains which can undermine its benefit in mitigating global warming. The main flaw, however, with the Crutzen’s Editorial Essay would be that sulfur particle injection, which can be used to cool the planet, has not yet been tested and may be dangerous. For this

reason, it has been a controversial topic in scientific circles for decades. In fact, a large chemical reaction in the atmosphere may occur during this process, and according to researchers, such tests may have unintended consequences. Another significant reason that cannot go unnoticed would be that, solar geo-engineering research proposals diverts attention and resources from clean technologies, renewable energy and other common efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Also, the potential dangers of performing an inefficient geo-engineering experiment should not be ignored, which can lead to a dangerous environmental disaster. Because of the complex chemical structure of the stratosphere, scientists still do not know everything about it, and further research needs to continue on geotechnical technology. Finally I assert that, reducing carbon emissions would be our best chance to reduce the risks of climate change in the present century from both point of technically and economically view. However, the researchers' simulations show that these particles can bring Earth's temperature back to pre-industrial times without increasing rainfall. But there are challenging issues, and researchers should avoid unexpected events because these technologies have not yet been fully tested.

References

1. Cicerone, R. J. (2006). Geoengineering: Encouraging Research and Overseeing Implementation. Climatic Change, 77(3–4), 221–226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9102-x
2. Crutzen, P. J. (2006). Albedo Enhancement by Stratospheric Sulfur Injections: A Contribution to Resolve a Policy Dilemma? Climatic Change, 77(3–4), 211–220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9101-y
3. Keith, D. W., Weisenstein, D. K., Dykema, J. A., & Keutsch, F. N. (2016). Stratospheric solar geoengineering without ozone loss. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(52), 14910–14914. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1615572113
4. Kiehl, J. T. (2006). Geoengineering climate Change: Treating the symptom over the cause?: An Editorial Comment. Climatic Change, 77(3–4), 227–228. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-006-9132-4
5. Pearl, S.
   

(2019, April 13). Albedo Enhancement: Localized Climate Change Adaptation with Substantial Co-Benefits. Retrieved October 6, 2019, from Climate Institute website: https://climate.org/albedo-enhancement-localized-climate-change-adaptation-with-substantial-co-benefits/