Is it time for Geoengineering?

"The Arctic 'Death Spiral'"
by Peter Wadhams (Professor of Ocean Physics at Cambridge)
Scientific American Magazine

Global warming is plaguing the arctic and actions must be taken soon to prevent the cataclysmic environmental damage that will effect the entire world. The thickness of the ice in the arctic has decreased by about 43% between 1976 and 1999, as water levels have gradually risen. According to Cambridge University Ocean Physics Professor, Peter Wadhams, by 2015, the "summer melting will outstrip the accumulation of new ice in winter and the entire ice cover will collapse. He also claims that the weakening ozone layer will lead to lower rates of solar radiation reflection, which explains the planet's rising temperature. It is also predicted that the change in climate will melt the arctic permafrost, releasing mass amounts of methane, further contributing to global warming. A recent Russian study shows that the seabeds are in fact rising in methane content. This will lead to what experts are calling an environmental 'death spiral' that will greatly damage our planet. Wadhams then proposes that we use geoengineering techniques to combat climate change, before it is too late. Basically, geoengineering is when environmentalists modify features of the environment to benefit it. Wadhams proposes that they make the clouds whiter in order to block the sun, releasing balloons full of sulfates, and painting roofs and pavement white. He claims that "we can no longer afford the luxury of talking about reducing CO2 emissions... we need action now."

Methods of Geoengineering

I strongly agree with the ideas proposed in this article, since we desperately need to take action against global warming soon, since the arctic damage is building up, and we have no way to control it. Also, the methane buildup and potential for release could prove disastrous  since methane is more harmful to the atmosphere than CO2. However, Geoengineering an extremely controversial method of environmental preservation, which has gotten a lot of attention lately after the Haida Salmon Restoration Corp. tried to release large quantities of iron into the ocean to mimic a volcanic explosion in order to help raise the population of salmon (more on this story here: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=fertilizing-ocean-with-iron-to-save-salmon-and-earn-money). I think Geoengineering has a lot of potential for helping solve environmental issues, while utilizing our technological advances. However, I believe that extensive research and laboratory simulation should be conducted before actually carrying out the actions. These different methods of modifying the environment to counteract the pollution shows promise for solving issues temporarily, while we find ways to cut back on our carbon emissions and pollution. Today, geoengineering is commonly used, but on a larger scale, it could greatly improve the environment, especially at the earth's poles where the ice is melting rapidly. I also think regulation should be heavily enforced, so that no unauthorized projects, the the sea iron fertilzation don't happen. Overall, I believe that geoengineering has a lot of potential for solving many of our climate issues and should be heavily researched, but also, heavily regulated.