Geoengineering: Can it help our planet keep its cool?

Useful sites

Lohafex provides new insights on plankton ecology - Only small amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide fixed (Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany, 21 March, 2009)

A press release summarising the findings of a joint German-Indian ocean fertilisation experiment.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Bluebird AR (2010)
An interactive drama set around the leak of Bluebird, a hypothetical geoengineering initiative. Includes clear background information on different geoengineering technologies in the Bluebird geoengineering dossier.

Engineering a climate fix (ABC Environment, 22 April 2010)
Describes some of the geoengineering technologies that are currently on offer.

Geoengineering (Catalyst, 25 March 2010)
Describes removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere using quick lime.

Engineering a cooler climate (In Depth, 3 December 2009)
Covers geoengineering through atmospheric aerosols, biochar and ocean fertilisation.

Questions raised over ocean fertilisation (In Depth, 29 January 2009)
Reports on findings of the CROZEX ocean fertilisation experiment.

The climate engineers (Background Briefing, 11 January 2009)
Provides a history of attitudes towards geoengineering.

Dust storm triggers ocean bloom (News in Science, 7 October 2009)
Describes the biological after effects of Sydney’s red dust storm.

Solar shades won’t reverse global warming (News in Science,14 July 2008)
Reports on climate model predictions of the effect of using solar shades.

Volcanoes to cool climate? Get real, say experts (News in Science, 20 August 2007)
Looks at the side-effects of blocking solar radiation.

Sea-green project may not be iron-clad (The Australian, 22 June 2010)

A newspaper report indicating that the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton will be conducting a large 5-year experimental ocean trial. They will add thousands of tonnes of iron to the ocean in a bid to grow phytoplankton and capture CO2.

Five ways to save the world (BBC News, 20 February 2007, British Broadcasting Corporation)

Describes the proposed geoengineering technologies of five scientists and engineers, including Australian engineer Ian Jones.

Scientists propose new geoengineering option: increasing ocean’s alkalinity to soak up more carbon dioxide (Biopact, November 19, 2007)

Gives a detailed report on a proposition to remove acid from the ocean, allowing it to absorb more carbon dioxide. Includes a comparison with similar technologies.

The Asilomar Conference Recommentations on Principlies for Research into Climate Engineering Techniques (Asilomar Scientific Organizing Committee, November, 2010)

A report produced by the Washington Climate Institute that summarises the findings, results and recommendations that emerged from this international conference.

Ocean fertilisation: Implications for marine ecosystems: supporting research and understanding (Ocean, Carbon and Biogeochemistry program, September 21, 2010)

The website of the OCB Ocean fertilization program described as a community-driven coordinating body promoting U.S. research and international cooperation on ocean fertilisation. The website includes links to news, research and publications.

Engineering the climate (Physics World, Institute of Physics, September 1, 2009)

Provides a good overview of the two main types of geoengineering: solar radiation management and removal of carbon dioxide.

Geoengineering the climate: Science, governance and uncertainty (The Royal Society, UK, September 1, 2009)

Provides a summary of an extensive report covering geoengineering technologies, risks, uncertainties and governance issues. A series of recommendations regarding geoengineering is included. The full report (4.55MB) can be accessed from this page.

Fertilising the ocean: Fix for global warming, or a cure that’s worse than the disease? (The Why Files, University of Wisconsin, USA)

Reviews ocean fertilisation as a way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Includes results of past trials, risks and regulation of ocean fertilisation.

External sites are not endorsed by the Australian Academy of Science.
Posted February 2010, edited August 2012.