Our War against climate: geo-engineering climate weather and the paradox of second best

1. Our War against climate: geo-engineering climate & weather and the paradox of second best

2. “Man believed he could dominate Nature and bend it to his will, but Nature is now turning against him and he finds himself caught in a trap.” “Nor does technological man --- at least now or in the foreseeable future --- seem capable of freeing himself from the constraints of the natural world and inventing a completely ‘artificial’ civilization.” (Boia 2005) Has there been a reversal of a standard assumption? “Namely, the people have become captives of Nature, caught as it were in a foreign involvement, just as [are fish] in a ‘normal’ household aquarium, [where] Nature has been imprisoned by people?” (Koetzle, 2001) Reference for the first 2 quotations: (Boia 2005): The Weather in the Imagination.London: Reaktion Books ltd reference for third quatotion: (Hans-Michael Koetzle, 2001, p. 307; Koln, Germany, Taschen Publisher) “Man believed he could dominate Nature and bend it to his will, but Nature is now turning against him and he finds himself caught in a trap.” “Nor does technological man --- at least now or in the foreseeable future --- seem capable of freeing himself from the constraints of the natural world and inventing a completely ‘artificial’ civilization.” (Boia 2005) Has there been a reversal of a standard assumption? “Namely, the people have become captives of Nature, caught as it were in a foreign involvement, just as [are fish] in a ‘normal’ household aquarium, [where] Nature has been imprisoned by people?” (Koetzle, 2001) Reference for the first 2 quotations: (Boia 2005): The Weather in the Imagination.London: Reaktion Books ltd reference for third quatotion: (Hans-Michael Koetzle, 2001, p. 307; Koln, Germany, Taschen Publisher)

3. Kinds of climate modification Inadvertent Advertent “We are inadvertently changing the climate, so why not advertently try to counterbalance it?” (Mike MacCracken) Quick or Creeping onset

4. Societal interactions with Climate(3 competing perspectives) Society… dominates Climate is subordinate to Climate in harmony with climate

6. Shelterbelts The Dust Bowl days in the 1930s saw major dust storms develop off of farmlands in the great plains. The drought-plagued barren soils were sitting ducks to the strong winds that accompanied the high temperatures and dry surfaces devoid of vegetative (e.g., crops). In response to the desertification of farmlands across the Great Plain, from Oklahoma to the east, the government invested in the building of belts of trees in order to serve as windbreaks. Thus, lines of shelterbelts could be seen from the air crisscrossing the Plains. This apparently worked as rainy periods eventually returned to the region, and during dry spells the land surface was apparently protected from high dry winds. The Dust Bowl days in the 1930s saw major dust storms develop off of farmlands in the great plains. The drought-plagued barren soils were sitting ducks to the strong winds that accompanied the high temperatures and dry surfaces devoid of vegetative (e.g., crops). In response to the desertification of farmlands across the Great Plain, from Oklahoma to the east, the government invested in the building of belts of trees in order to serve as windbreaks. Thus, lines of shelterbelts could be seen from the air crisscrossing the Plains. This apparently worked as rainy periods eventually returned to the region, and during dry spells the land surface was apparently protected from high dry winds.

7. Eliminating Arctic sea ice Arctic melting: greenhouse effect blamed September 29, 2005 The Arctic ice shelf has melted for the fourth straight year to its smallest area in a century, driven by rising temperatures that appear linked to a build-up of greenhouse gases, warn US scientists. Scientists at NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, which have monitored the ice via satellites since 1978, say the total Arctic ice in 2005 will cover the smallest area since they started measuring. It is the least amount of Arctic ice in at least a century, according to both the satellite data and shipping information going back many more years, says a report from the groups. As of September 21, the Arctic sea ice area had dropped to 5.31 million square kilometres, the report said. From 1978 to 2000, the sea ice area averaged 7 million square kilometres, the report said. It noted the melting trend had shrunk Inuit hunting grounds and endangered polar bears, seals and other wildlife. The report warns that if melting rates continue, the summertime Arctic may be completely ice-free before the end of the century, echoing last year's findings from the Arctic Council, an eight-nation report by 250 experts.Arctic melting: greenhouse effect blamed September 29, 2005 The Arctic ice shelf has melted for the fourth straight year to its smallest area in a century, driven by rising temperatures that appear linked to a build-up of greenhouse gases, warn US scientists. Scientists at NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Centre, which have monitored the ice via satellites since 1978, say the total Arctic ice in 2005 will cover the smallest area since they started measuring. It is the least amount of Arctic ice in at least a century, according to both the satellite data and shipping information going back many more years, says a report from the groups. As of September 21, the Arctic sea ice area had dropped to 5.31 million square kilometres, the report said. From 1978 to 2000, the sea ice area averaged 7 million square kilometres, the report said. It noted the melting trend had shrunk Inuit hunting grounds and endangered polar bears, seals and other wildlife. The report warns that if melting rates continue, the summertime Arctic may be completely ice-free before the end of the century, echoing last year's findings from the Arctic Council, an eight-nation report by 250 experts.

8. Geo-engineering design for a Bering Straits dam Bering Strait Dam A land bridge or tunnel might be constructed across the Bering Strait. The primary function of this span would be to generate electrical power and house facilities for collecting and processing marine products. Beneath and above the ocean surface would be tunnels for the transport of both passengers and freight. Not only could this structure provide a physical link between Asia and North America, it could also serve as an avenue for social and cultural exchange. This land bridge would perhaps serve as a base for the development of clean fusion power. Pipelines to conduct fresh water from melting icebergs to other parts of the world may also be incorporated. Bering Strait Dam

9. Soviet (Russian) river diversions

10. Clearcutting, widespread deforestation Clearcutting is an indiscriminant cutting of trees in various type of terrain. Aside from the wanton, money driven destruction of forests for the wood products they might provide. This practice of a major destruction of the environment as the loss of trees and related vegetation weakens the quality of the soils and leaves the soils exposed to wind and water erosion. Water erosion is a major result of clearcutting a forest and that can leading to excessive loading of streams and rivers as well as reservoirs along the way. It results in one ugly landscape. In addition, the albedo (reflectance) of the surface of the denuded land surface is higher with influence on local climate conditions.Clearcutting is an indiscriminant cutting of trees in various type of terrain. Aside from the wanton, money driven destruction of forests for the wood products they might provide. This practice of a major destruction of the environment as the loss of trees and related vegetation weakens the quality of the soils and leaves the soils exposed to wind and water erosion. Water erosion is a major result of clearcutting a forest and that can leading to excessive loading of streams and rivers as well as reservoirs along the way. It results in one ugly landscape. In addition, the albedo (reflectance) of the surface of the denuded land surface is higher with influence on local climate conditions.

11. Deforestation Affects Climate In The Amazon The models concluded small-scale circulations, including the mixing and rising of air induced by local land surfaces, could enhance cloudiness and rainfall. Many earlier studies that relied on models developed in the 1990s or earlier concluded widespread deforestation of the Amazon Basin would lead to decreased rainfall. Researchers found during the Amazon dry season last August, there was a distinct pattern of higher rainfall and warmer over deforested regions. The models concluded small-scale circulations, including the mixing and rising of air induced by local land surfaces, could enhance cloudiness and rainfall. Many earlier studies that relied on models developed in the 1990s or earlier concluded widespread deforestation of the Amazon Basin would lead to decreased rainfall. Researchers found during the Amazon dry season last August, there was a distinct pattern of higher rainfall and warmer over deforested regions.

12. Throughout the 19th and 20th century sub-Saharan Africa had been plagued by recurrent prolonged and severe droughts. In response to them, various people concerned about African water problems have proposed over these centuries ways to bring water to parched and drought affected parts of Africa. These included for the most part a variety of ways to fill dry ancient depressions on the continent. Several of these are depicted in the graphic for Africa. One scheme, proposed by a famous meteorologist Tor Bergeron, called for overseeding the clouds in the monsoonal from in West Africa so that moisture would be held in the clouds until they moved further in to the drier edge of the Sahara.Throughout the 19th and 20th century sub-Saharan Africa had been plagued by recurrent prolonged and severe droughts. In response to them, various people concerned about African water problems have proposed over these centuries ways to bring water to parched and drought affected parts of Africa. These included for the most part a variety of ways to fill dry ancient depressions on the continent. Several of these are depicted in the graphic for Africa. One scheme, proposed by a famous meteorologist Tor Bergeron, called for overseeding the clouds in the monsoonal from in West Africa so that moisture would be held in the clouds until they moved further in to the drier edge of the Sahara.

13. Filling depressions in Africa Two solar-hydro and pumped-storage projects are being considered, in Israel and Egypt. The Israeli plan involves constructing a long pipeline/tunnel between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea (400 m below sea level) to exploit the differences in elevation between these two bodies of water. The Egyptian plan involves transfer of water from the Mediterranean to the Qattara depression (a basin in the Western desert of about 26,000 km², the floor of which is 120 m below sea level). Both plans involve an initial development stage in which the basins are filled with water from the Mediterranean Sea up to a certain design level that will be maintained later by the transfer of water to replace the amount evaporated. A very similar type of solar-hydro scheme has also been studied for the Assal lake in Djibouti, which has the shortest conduit, with a length of about 15 km from the Red Sea to the Assal depression. This particular type of hydroelectric project, generally known as solarhydro, would be made possible by the combination of such factors as the existence of a vast depression at a distance not too far from the sea in a region with characteristically scarce rainfall and a resulting high degree of evaporation. The world's five deepest depressions are shown in table 2.11. The Mediterranean-Qattara solar-hydro scheme was the first project of its kind for developing solar-hydro energy in a large desert depression in a hotarid climate. www.unu.edu/.../unupbooks/ 80858e/80858E0a.htm Two solar-hydro and pumped-storage projects are being considered, in Israel and Egypt. The Israeli plan involves constructing a long pipeline/tunnel between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea (400 m below sea level) to exploit the differences in elevation between these two bodies of water. The Egyptian plan involves transfer of water from the Mediterranean to the Qattara depression (a basin in the Western desert of about 26,000 km², the floor of which is 120 m below sea level). Both plans involve an initial development stage in which the basins are filled with water from the Mediterranean Sea up to a certain design level that will be maintained later by the transfer of water to replace the amount evaporated. A very similar type of solar-hydro scheme has also been studied for the Assal lake in Djibouti, which has the shortest conduit, with a length of about 15 km from the Red Sea to the Assal depression. This particular type of hydroelectric project, generally known as solarhydro, would be made possible by the combination of such factors as the existence of a vast depression at a distance not too far from the sea in a region with characteristically scarce rainfall and a resulting high degree of evaporation. The world's five deepest depressions are shown in table 2.11. The Mediterranean-Qattara solar-hydro scheme was the first project of its kind for developing solar-hydro energy in a large desert depression in a hotarid climate. www.unu.edu/.../unupbooks/ 80858e/80858E0a.htm

15. Schwarz scheme for Southern Africa

16. Sergel’s plan to irrigate the Sahara

17. Black topping the Sahara(Creating thermal mountains)

18. Karakum Canal, Turkmenistan Qaraqum Canal The Qaraqum Canal (formerly called the Karakumsky Kanal) is the largest irrigation and water supply canal in the world. Started in 1954, and completed in 1988, it is navigable over much of its 1,375 km length, and carries 13 km³ of water annually from the Amu-Darya River across the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan. The canal opened up huge new tracts of land to agriculture, especially to cotton monoculture heavily promoted by the Soviet Union, and supplying Ashgabat with a major source of water. Unfortunately, the primitive construction of the canal allows almost 50% of the water to escape en route, creating lakes and ponds along the canal, and arise in groundwater leading to widespread soil salinization problems. The canal is also a major factor leading to the Aral Sea environmental disaster. Qaraqum Canal The Qaraqum Canal (formerly called the Karakumsky Kanal) is the largest irrigation and water supply canal in the world. Started in 1954, and completed in 1988, it is navigable over much of its 1,375 km length, and carries 13 km³ of water annually from the Amu-Darya River across the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan. The canal opened up huge new tracts of land to agriculture, especially to cotton monoculture heavily promoted by the Soviet Union, and supplying Ashgabat with a major source of water. Unfortunately, the primitive construction of the canal allows almost 50% of the water to escape en route, creating lakes and ponds along the canal, and arise in groundwater leading to widespread soil salinization problems. The canal is also a major factor leading to the Aral Sea environmental disaster.

19. NAWAPA, 1964 (North American Water and Power Alliance)

20. Canadian view of attempts to divert Great Lakes In the 1980’s there was a proposal to withdraw water from the Great Lakes to recharge the Ogallala aquifer that supplies water to the Great Plains states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refused to allow this project to proceed. In the early 1970s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a review of possible diversions from the Great Lakes to ease the effects of drought in the northeastern states. Twelve years later, in 1982, the Corps report reviewed diversion alternatives to restore groundwater levels in the Ogallala Aquifer under the High Plains. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers concluded that neither was feasible. At the direction of the U.S. Congress the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suggested diversion of water from the Great Lakes via the Mississippi River to compensate for rapid depletion of groundwater from the Ogallala aquifer in the high plains states of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. A Colorado proposal called for a canal or a pipeline to carry water from the Great Lakes to rapidly growing economies in the Southwest. Both ideas were opposed by all Great Lakes states and the Province of Ontario. The Great Recycling and Northern Development (GRAND) Canal concept was revived in l985 after being proposed in the l950s. The plan calls for turning James Bay into a freshwater lake using a dam to prevent mixing with saltwater from Hudson Bay. Fresh water would then be pumped over the Arctic divide and transferred into the Great Lakes. Great Lakes water would in turn be diverted for sale to western states. Development would require an estimated $l00 billion (Canadian) and the support of Ontario and Quebec, all the Great Lakes states as well as the federal governments of both countries. In the 1980’s there was a proposal to withdraw water from the Great Lakes to recharge the Ogallala aquifer that supplies water to the Great Plains states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers refused to allow this project to proceed. In the early 1970s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed a review of possible diversions from the Great Lakes to ease the effects of drought in the northeastern states. Twelve years later, in 1982, the Corps report reviewed diversion alternatives to restore groundwater levels in the Ogallala Aquifer under the High Plains. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers concluded that neither was feasible. At the direction of the U.S. Congress the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suggested diversion of water from the Great Lakes via the Mississippi River to compensate for rapid depletion of groundwater from the Ogallala aquifer in the high plains states of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. A Colorado proposal called for a canal or a pipeline to carry water from the Great Lakes to rapidly growing economies in the Southwest. Both ideas were opposed by all Great Lakes states and the Province of Ontario. The Great Recycling and Northern Development (GRAND) Canal concept was revived in l985 after being proposed in the l950s. The plan calls for turning James Bay into a freshwater lake using a dam to prevent mixing with saltwater from Hudson Bay. Fresh water would then be pumped over the Arctic divide and transferred into the Great Lakes. Great Lakes water would in turn be diverted for sale to western states. Development would require an estimated $l00 billion (Canadian) and the support of Ontario and Quebec, all the Great Lakes states as well as the federal governments of both countries.

21. Floods in The Netherlands 1953

22. Netherlands’ Delta Plan (1957-81)A success story Sixty percent of the Netherlands territory is located below sea level and 70% of the gross national product is earned in these flood-prone areas. So it is quite likely that the Netherlands will be confronted with several effects of climate change, including increased risk of flooding and more frequent summer droughts…For most sectors of the Dutch economy and society, even the low to medium climate-change impacts would have serious consequences, such as a significant rise in sea level. Sixty percent of the Netherlands territory is located below sea level and 70% of the gross national product is earned in these flood-prone areas. So it is quite likely that the Netherlands will be confronted with several effects of climate change, including increased risk of flooding and more frequent summer droughts…For most sectors of the Dutch economy and society, even the low to medium climate-change impacts would have serious consequences, such as a significant rise in sea level.

23. Vision of the future: a hydrometropole The Netherlands The Netherlands faces higher sea levels and more extreme hydro-climatic events in the future. We think two basic approaches to climate proofing could help combat these threats. In one, urban and industrial activities, including infrastructure, move from below sea level to higher and drier lands, as found in the eastern Netherlands. The second approach involves the creation of a large 'hydrometropole', a world in which we have learned how to live with — and make a living from — water (see 'Vision of the future: a hydrometropole'). This would be a major urban, industrial and rural area with more than 15 million people living and working in a world partly floating on and surrounded by water. Given the history of the Netherlands and the spirit of its people, this second vision seems more appropriate and attractive, but only time — and vigorous public debate — will tell what approach is favoured. “Nor does technological man --- at least now or in the foreseeable future --- seem capable of freeing himself from the constraints of the natural world and inventing a completely ‘artificial’ civilization.” (Boia 2005) “Nor does technological man --- at least now or in the foreseeable future --- seem capable of freeing himself from the constraints of the natural world and inventing a completely ‘artificial’ civilization.” (Boia 2005)

24. “Nor does technological man --- at least now or in the foreseeable future --- seem capable of freeing himself from the constraints of the natural world and inventing a completely ‘artificial’ civilization.” (Boia 2005)

25. India’s Greatest Planned Environmental Disaster: Narmada Valley Dam Projects 1  3,000 small, 132 medium and 30 big dams. Sardar Sarovar final height will be 138 m. Now, SSP generates 30 per cent of 250 MW at canal head, 70 per cent of 1,000 MW • 2  Raising SSP height from 110.64 m 121.90 can be done in 100-110 days. Generation: 150-210 days a year. Downstream water wil be lifted to meet peak demands • 3  SSP expected to irrigate 1.8 million ha in Gujarat and 75,000 ha in Rajasthan, generate 1450 MW of power, supply water to 2.35 million people in Gujarat  • 4  At present, 4.5 lakh ha, roughly 25% of target in Gujarat, is irrigated. By this monsoon, 3 lakh additional hectares will be irrigated and water will reach 6 Saurashtra canals. Madhya Pradesh could draw 4,000 MW of power.  • 5  Affected family units who have been resettled: 18,093 --16,156 in MP, 1,148 in Gujarat and 789 in Maharashtra. Of 92 resettlement colonies in MP, 11 are incomplete.Total compensation delivered: Rs 1,600 crore  • 6  Contingency plans for flooding have been drawn up taking the worst weather event of the last 100 years as benchmark. Review meetings chaired by Union secretary for social justice every month as mandated by SC  • 7  Narmada Sagar: Benefits of SSP linked to regulated releases from this dam upstream in MP. It also comprises smaller Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams. Critics dispute projected 60% efficiency in water use for irrigation  • 8  Saurashtra and Kutch areas will be heavily dependent on punping stations as they are at the end of the chain. Overall SSP project delay is 2 years. Total canal network of entire project is 86,000 km. 25,000 km is complete 1  3,000 small, 132 medium and 30 big dams. Sardar Sarovar final height will be 138 m. Now, SSP generates 30 per cent of 250 MW at canal head, 70 per cent of 1,000 MW

26. Great Man-made River, Libya Over 95% of Libya is desert, and the new water sources can open up thousands of hectares of irrigated farmland. At present over 80% of the country's agriculture production comes from the coastal regions, where local aquifers have been overpumped, and salt water intrusion is taking place. The Great Man-Made River will relieve this. The water now flowing will immediately supplement supplies for domestic and industrial needs in Benghazi and Sirte. But Libyan officials plan for 80% of the overall project's flow to eventually be used for irrigating old farms, and reclaiming some desert lands. Since 20% of Libya's imports are foodstuffs, expanded water supplies are a means to greater self-sufficiency. The Great Man-Made River project and its objectives fly in the face of the water-control schemes sanctioned by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These institutions have blocked work on other ``great projects'' such as the Jonglei Canal--the huge ditch that was designed as a straight channel on the upper White Nile in southern Sudan. The Jonglei Canal, which stands half-finished and abandoned at present, would have drained swamplands, aided agriculture, transportation, power resources, and health, and provided expanded flow to the Nile River all the way down to Egypt. http://american_almanac.tripod.com/libya.htmOver 95% of Libya is desert, and the new water sources can open up thousands of hectares of irrigated farmland. At present over 80% of the country's agriculture production comes from the coastal regions, where local aquifers have been overpumped, and salt water intrusion is taking place. The Great Man-Made River will relieve this. The water now flowing will immediately supplement supplies for domestic and industrial needs in Benghazi and Sirte. But Libyan officials plan for 80% of the overall project's flow to eventually be used for irrigating old farms, and reclaiming some desert lands. Since 20% of Libya's imports are foodstuffs, expanded water supplies are a means to greater self-sufficiency. The Great Man-Made River project and its objectives fly in the face of the water-control schemes sanctioned by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These institutions have blocked work on other ``great projects'' such as the Jonglei Canal--the huge ditch that was designed as a straight channel on the upper White Nile in southern Sudan. The Jonglei Canal, which stands half-finished and abandoned at present, would have drained swamplands, aided agriculture, transportation, power resources, and health, and provided expanded flow to the Nile River all the way down to Egypt. http://american_almanac.tripod.com/libya.htm

27. Jonglei Canal (Sudan) The Jonglei Canal project, considered one of the most important integration projects between Egypt and Sudan, was halted in 1983 as a result of the Sudanese civil war. The project, work on which started in 1980, was a comprehensive engineering and environmental venture designed to make full use of the River Nile, promote human and economic development in semi-isolated regions and boost agricultural development in both countries. Up till the project's termination, 260 kilometers out of the total 360 kilometers were completed. Reports indicated that a missile launched by an unknown source destroyed the drill used for digging the canal.The primary objective of the project was to ensure the flow of 4.7 billion cubic meters of water annually, to be equally distributed between Egypt and Sudan, and provide a model for similar water-conservation initiatives in other areas, such as the Mashar swamps and the swamps of the Bahr al-Ghazal area. The first stage of the project included the digging of a canal to provide approximately 3.8 billion cubic meters of water annually. A second canal was to double this amount, subject to agreement with the countries of the equatorial lakes.The termination of work came as a blow to the residents of the region, to Sudan as a whole and to Egypt. According to the project's research team, the benefits would have been felt over a wide area, from Bor in the south of Sudan to Kosti in the north. The project was to have developed modern irrigation and drainage facilities that would have put an end to agriculture being tied to the annual patterns of flooding and drought. The termination of the project also led to a considerable loss of livestock. According to the estimates of a national conference on peace in 1989, nearly 6.6 million head of cattle perished.The Jonglei Canal region is inhabited by around two million people; mainly the peoples and tribes of the Dinka, Nower and Shalak. The local economy is very much a seasonal one. In the rainy season, starting April or May and lasting till December, rivers flood and people move to higher-lying regions where they cultivate crops dependent on rain. In January, people move once more to the plains, staying for the duration of the dry period. The yearly flooding exposes livestock, as well as man, to disease and even death, as happened on a large scale in the 1960s. One of the most significant benefits of the project was that it would have curbed the annual flooding and changed the primary features of the region's economy by introducing mechanical agriculture and other means of modernization. The Jonglei Canal project, considered one of the most important integration projects between Egypt and Sudan, was halted in 1983 as a result of the Sudanese civil war. The project, work on which started in 1980, was a comprehensive engineering and environmental venture designed to make full use of the River Nile, promote human and economic development in semi-isolated regions and boost agricultural development in both countries. Up till the project's termination, 260 kilometers out of the total 360 kilometers were completed. Reports indicated that a missile launched by an unknown source destroyed the drill used for digging the canal.

28. Alaska-California under-ocean (subsea) freshwater pipelineFeasibility study proposed in US Congress in 1991 in midst of multi-year drought in southern California The vast water resource export potential of Alaska was not seriously considered until theelection of Walter J. Hickel as Governor in 1990. Governor Hickel, who 20 years ago asSecretary of the Interior explored construction of a water pipeline from Alaska to California,was asked by the City Council of Los Angeles if he would again consider the pipeline concept.The Governor made it clear that the state would work with the people of Los Angeles as theytook the initiative to review the sub-sea water pipeline. The City Council and theCongressional Office of Technology Assessment evaluated the pipeline idea, spurring interestin developing the less costly bulk marine transport of water by tankers or other technologies. With legislation passed by the 1992 Alaska Legislature, the Division of Water is facilitating thedevelopment of Alaska's bulk and bottled water exports. With export applications already onfile for 400,000 af/y, the Division is attempting to understand this fast developing commoditymarket. According to the US Geological Survey, Alaska owns 40% of our nation's freeflowing fresh water and discharges about 1 billion acre feet a year into the ocean. With 100 toover 300 inches of annual precipitation in some areas of southeast Alaska, we believe we canresponsibly offer our high quality renewable water resources to a thirsty world. These waterresources are viewed by Alaska as potential new revenue sources, partially offsetting decliningoil and gas income. To assist those with interest in the development of this resource, weprovide this general discussion of the key issues affecting Alaska bulk water exports andsales. [http://www.waterbank.com/Newsletters/nws12.html]The vast water resource export potential of Alaska was not seriously considered until theelection of Walter J. Hickel as Governor in 1990. Governor Hickel, who 20 years ago asSecretary of the Interior explored construction of a water pipeline from Alaska to California,was asked by the City Council of Los Angeles if he would again consider the pipeline concept.The Governor made it clear that the state would work with the people of Los Angeles as theytook the initiative to review the sub-sea water pipeline. The City Council and theCongressional Office of Technology Assessment evaluated the pipeline idea, spurring interestin developing the less costly bulk marine transport of water by tankers or other technologies.

29. Distribution of annual rainfall1931-1960 (mm) In some locations around the globe there is a steep rainfall or precipitation gradient. Any shifts in location or changes in the ‘steepness’ of those gradients can have major impacts on ecosystems and societies dependent on them.In some locations around the globe there is a steep rainfall or precipitation gradient. Any shifts in location or changes in the ‘steepness’ of those gradients can have major impacts on ecosystems and societies dependent on them.

30. Geo-Schemes proposed to stop Global Warming Carbon sequestration Iron particles in the ocean Global scale tree planting Go nuclear Go renewable energy “In Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Mitigation, Adaptation, and the Science Bases conclusion, the N.A.S. found that the most effective global warming mitigation turned out to be the spraying of reflective aerosol compounds into the atmosphere utilizing commercial, military and private aircraft. This preferred mitigation method is designed to create a global atmospheric shield which would increase the planet's albedo (reflectivity) using aerosol compounds of aluminum and barium oxides, and to introduce ozone generating chemicals into the atmosphere. This method was the most cost effective, and yielded the largest benefits. It could also be conducted covertly to avoid the burdens of environmental protection and regulatory entanglements. It is evident to anyone who cares to look up, that this mitigation is now being conducted worldwide and on a daily basis. It is certain that our leaders have already embarked on an immense geoengineering project; one in which they expect millions of human fatalities, and consider these to be acceptable losses. This landmark study; the widespread experimentation and published papers of atmospheric theorists and scientists, combined with the visual evidence that atmospheric mitigations are being conducted in our skies, clearly shows that Chemtrail spraying has became a preferred solution to global warming mitigation”. www.lightwatcher.com/ chemtrails/smoking_gun.html “In Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Mitigation, Adaptation, and the Science Bases conclusion, the N.A.S. found that the most effective global warming mitigation turned out to be the spraying of reflective aerosol compounds into the atmosphere utilizing commercial, military and private aircraft. This preferred mitigation method is designed to create a global atmospheric shield which would increase the planet's albedo (reflectivity) using aerosol compounds of aluminum and barium oxides, and to introduce ozone generating chemicals into the atmosphere. This method was the most cost effective, and yielded the largest benefits. It could also be conducted covertly to avoid the burdens of environmental protection and regulatory entanglements. It is evident to anyone who cares to look up, that this mitigation is now being conducted worldwide and on a daily basis. It is certain that our leaders have already embarked on an immense geoengineering project; one in which they expect millions of human fatalities, and consider these to be acceptable losses. This landmark study; the widespread experimentation and published papers of atmospheric theorists and scientists, combined with the visual evidence that atmospheric mitigations are being conducted in our skies, clearly shows that Chemtrail spraying has became a preferred solution to global warming mitigation”. www.lightwatcher.com/ chemtrails/smoking_gun.html

31. Edward Teller “Sunscreen for Planet Earth” Involves diminishing the amount of sunlight --- about 1% --- reaching the earth’s surface in order to counteract any warming effect of greenhouse gases Mimic a volcano, like Mt Pinatubo 1991 El Chichón 1981 reduced NH temp. by ¼ expected from global warming in 2100 1979 freeman Dyson proposed emitting fine particles into the upper atmosphere (at a 1979 cost of $1 billion US/ year Teller talks of relatively low cost of geo-engineering against climate change “For some reason, the geo-engineering option isn’t as fashionable as all-out war on fossil fuels and the people who use them”. (Teller)

32. Grow Ocean Algae to Remove Carbon Dioxide (iron fertilization) “The biological pump serves to move carbon from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, as organisms take up CO2 by photosynthesis in the surface ocean, and release the carbon when the organic material sinks and is oxidizing at depth.” Tonnes of iron could result in the removal of 0.8GtC from the atmosphere” The IronEX1 experiment showed unequivicolly that there was a biological response to the addition of iron”.“The biological pump serves to move carbon from the atmosphere to the deep ocean, as organisms take up CO2 by photosynthesis in the surface ocean, and release the carbon when the organic material sinks and is oxidizing at depth.” Tonnes of iron could result in the removal of 0.8GtC from the atmosphere” The IronEX1 experiment showed unequivicolly that there was a biological response to the addition of iron”.

33. More examples Towing icebergs 1888, Argentina 1970s, Saudi Arabia Redirecting ocean currents Carbon dust on glaciers (to foster melting rates and timing) Cloud seeding Project “Stormfury” Sequestering Carbon dioxide

34. 1970s Schemes proposed to stop an Ice Age “For a few years in the early 1970s, new evidence and arguments led many scientists to suspect that the greatest climate risk was not warming, but cooling. A new ice age seemed to be approaching as part of the natural glacial cycle, perhaps hastened by human pollution that blocked sunlight. Technological optimists suggested ways to counter this threat too. We might spread soot from cargo aircraft to darken the Arctic snows shatter the Arctic ice pack with "clean" thermonuclear explosions”. “For a few years in the early 1970s, new evidence and arguments led many scientists to suspect that the greatest climate risk was not warming, but cooling. A new ice age seemed to be approaching as part of the natural glacial cycle, perhaps hastened by human pollution that blocked sunlight. Technological optimists suggested ways to counter this threat too. We might spread soot from cargo aircraft to darken the Arctic snows shatter the Arctic ice pack with "clean" thermonuclear explosions”.

35. Some thoughts (mine) about geo-engineering Societies try to make marginal lands productive, while they degrade productive lands. Technology is neutral. How we use it determines whether it has positive or negative impacts. Societies need to move from an environmental ethic and modus operandi of dominance to that of harmony.

36. “Global Warming is too serious to be left to the politicians” [Edward Teller] “Global Warming is too important to be left to the scientists” [Michael Glantz]

37. Concluding comment For some environmental problems there is no ‘second best’ solution. You must deal with the causes Take global warming as an example: Can sequester CO2 in the oceans; in the mines Can plant more trees Periodic injections of chemical into the atmosphere Can increase availability of air conditioning Can build away from the coastline Can increase the manufacture of hybrid cars, and so forth Or, can figure our how to develop new sources of clean (non-CO2 producing) energy and replace old sources.