Giant shields to the rescue

Scientists suggest building a massive shield in space, which would absorb excess amount of solar rays, stabilize climate and save the entire human kind of the most dangerous threat such as Global Warming.

According to the scientists' plans, hundreds and thousands of metal “rubbish” will be dumped in the upper atmospheric layers. In addition, billions of tiny metal balls will serve as a special barrier preventing rays of the Earth's closest star from reaching our planet, informs The Observer.

Scientists also plan to construct gigantic reservoirs for salty water in order to keep the sea level from rising as a result of melting of polar ice. Oceans will need to be modified as well in order to survive global warming. Special floating mechanisms will be placed on the water surface to create clouds. Plantations of unique seaweed will be planted under water. The plants will absorb green houses gases (GHG) from the atmosphere. 

Such fantastic theories have been discussed by climatologists at the University of Cambridge in the course of a last week's meeting. Global warming prevention was the main topic of their discussions. Chief scientist of the British government Sir David King was present at the meeting. He stated in turn that climatic change is the most serious problem our civilization faces today.        

Former ecology advisor of the German government and presently, head of a team of British climatologists in Tindal Centre, Professor John Schelnhuber stated the following, “Plenty of exotic solutions are emerging these days and we have to find a proper balance. The problem however still exists. We think that this is a very good time for us to think about possible solutions.” 

Last week, scientists predicted that a quarter of Earth's animals and plants will die as a result of global warming in the nearest 50 years.

Ecologists consider that such extreme solutions simply prove the government's inability to handle the problem. According to them, in case Russia and the US do not ratify their international agreements regarding limiting the emission of GHG, scientists will have to pursue other strategies of saving the planet.  

One of such extreme technical solutions entails unfolding billion of thin metal sheets on the near-earth orbit by means of space rocket. Those metal sheets will let cosmic rays through while absorbing large portions of solar energy which afterward will be sent back to space. The construction will allow those thin metal sheets to remain in space for 100 years.

Another technical innovation entails several aircrafts to send ultra thin nets to the upper atmospheric layers, preventing solar rays from reaching Earth.

Another idea: Millions of metal-covered air balloons under a great pressure filled with helium will be launched to the stratosphere (35,000 feet). They will be able to stay there for five years. Afterward, they will simply fall and will be in need of replacement.

All of these methods are aimed at blocking about 1% of sun's energy. This is enough to protect no less than 1million square kilometers of Earth's surface and to cool it down considerably.

The idea emerged as a result of the study of consequences of volcano eruption in Indonesia in 1814. Back then, there was enough substance in the atmosphere to decrease temperature by 30%. 

Scientists from the National laboratory of Lawrence Livermore in California who suggested the scheme, claim that such temperature decrease will also benefit crops, since damaging solar rays will be liquidated. Sunrises and sunsets will become more beautiful. The sky will appear even bluer. In addition, risk of people developing cancer will decrease drastically.

Scientists also consider pumping nourishing substances into the world’s ocean. This will improve seaweed growth as well as consume carbonic gases from the atmosphere. Scientists agree that such “fertilization of the ocean on a grand scale” will in fact aid in saving green forests which accumulate such gases like a sponge. 

British government is expected to announce its final decision regarding present climatic changes sometime this week.

Source: NewsRu