Recent research conducted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) revealed alarming findings: Arctic ice has shrunk by 1.35 million square miles since 1979. Furthermore, Greenland’s ice loss is even more severe than previously believed, and Antarctic ice is at its lowest level on record. If these trends continue, we could face catastrophic consequences, with rising sea levels threatening low-lying island nations. The urgency of this situation requires us to consider geoengineering solutions to buy time while we work towards long-term solutions to fossil fuel consumption.
Professor John Moore of the Arctic Center at the University of Lapland states that emissions reductions alone are not enough to address this crisis. According to Moore, “We are faced with this situation where there’s no pathway to 1.5 [degrees] available through mitigation.” He likens the Earth’s current state to a patient bleeding out on the operating table, emphasizing the need to act quickly.
To address this crisis, the universities of the Arctic and Lapland, in collaboration with the UN-backed thinktank GRID-Arendal, published the Frozen Arctic report. This report examines 60 geoengineering projects aimed at slowing or reversing polar melting. The projects fall into several categories:
- Solar Radiation Management
- Artificial ice generation
- Enormous engineering work to protect existing ice
- Measures to keep flora and fauna from encroaching on frozen regions
One approach involves manipulating the Earth’s albedo, or reflectivity, to reduce solar heat absorption. This tactic mimics the cooling effects of natural phenomena such as ice ages or volcanic eruptions. For example, the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo led to temporary global cooling due to the ash it released into the atmosphere. While artificially creating similar effects through cloud seeding is possible, the cost and logistics are significant challenges.
In a similar vein, creating and maintaining artificial ice through engineering projects could help slow down polar melting. However, the practicality and environmental impact of these projects must be carefully considered to avoid unintended consequences.
Furthermore, there are political implications to geoengineering efforts. Some proposed solutions, such as injecting sulfur into the atmosphere to create cooling clouds, could have far-reaching effects. There are concerns about the long-term implications and unintended consequences of such projects, as well as potential international disputes over responsibility for climate disasters.
The Frozen Arctic report concludes that there is no quick or easy fix to this crisis. Instead, the researchers emphasize the need for investment in exploring and testing potential solutions. Moore suggests that the engineering community is capable of achieving remarkable feats with sufficient resources, making it imperative that we act now to prevent further damage to our planet.