A new paper from one of the editors of Global Catastrophic Risk:
We hereby propose an apocalyptic scenario of greenhouse gases vented from the Earth’s crust and mantle because humans undertook Stevenson’s MTEC macroproject,as a prototype of these additional existential risks. Since humans are currently without means of escape from the planet (the state-of-affairs likely to persist for at least several decades and probably much longer), and their Macro-engineering experiment meets with misfortune, they will perish as a species due to the excessive heat possibly Venuforming the Earth, i.e. permanent locking in the runaway greenhouse heating. Of course, it is possible that the Earth-biosphere continues to function and that subsequently, owing to the atmosphere’s increased perennial warmth10 and the aerial fertilization of expelled CO2, vegetation will be caused to flourish. Surface life forms must thereafter endure much different solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR): under heavy cloud cover the scattered UV component of sunlight—often termed “skylight”—is seldom less than 10% of that under a clear, blue sky; very heavy storm clouds canal most eliminate terrestrial UVR even in summertime.”
“A section of the Arctic Ocean seafloor that holds vast stores of frozen methane is showing signs of instability and widespread venting of the powerful greenhouse gas, according to the findings of an international research team led by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists Natalia Shakhova and Igor Semiletov. The research results, published in the March 5 edition of the journal Science, show that the permafrost under the East Siberian Arctic Shelf, long thought to be an impermeable barrier sealing in methane, is perforated and is leaking large amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Release of even a fraction of the methane stored in the shelf could trigger abrupt climate warming.”
I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet but the first few minutes of Geoengineering: Global Salvation or Ruin? looked good.
Tagged: climate change, existential risk, geoengineering, speculation
