Speech Addresses Threat of Global Warming
Possible solutions to environmental problems presented in lecture.
Rachel Nishimura
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: News
Richard Turco discussed global warming and various geo-engineering techniques to mitigate climate change in a lecture two weeks ago.
Turco, a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship winner and UCLA professor, has conducted much research in the field of atmospheric sciences. His speech was the third in a series of lectures hosted by The Center for the Future.
Turco's speech went into detail about the factors that affect climate change such albedo, an insulation effect. He placed an emphasis on the growing evidence supporting the greenhouse effect. According to Turco, the Earth is changing significantly due to the effects of global warming.
"Some take the position that we will not be able to reduce worldwide CO2 emissions sufficiently over the next 10 years to stem global warming," Turco said.
Turco discussed theoretical solutions to offset global warming such as burying carbon in the deep ocean, creating artificial particulate haze, and shuttling mirrors into space to create sunshade.
"These ideas are easy to throw out, but are a lot harder to implement," Turco said. "There are simpler ideas like painting all the roofs white and having everyone wear white hats."
The feasibility as well as the environmental consequences of these geo-engineering methods were analyzed as well. "The Earth is a complicated place," Turco said. "You change one thing and you affect many others."
Turco emphasized the outlandish nature of most of the geo engineering ideas and voiced his support for alternative solutions such as carbon sequestration.
"I have a better understanding of the use of conventional hydrocarbons," said Dr. Jim Busby. "I am more convinced now we should do more for the environment to get away from fossil fuels."
Turco, a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship winner and UCLA professor, has conducted much research in the field of atmospheric sciences. His speech was the third in a series of lectures hosted by The Center for the Future.
Turco's speech went into detail about the factors that affect climate change such albedo, an insulation effect. He placed an emphasis on the growing evidence supporting the greenhouse effect. According to Turco, the Earth is changing significantly due to the effects of global warming.
"Some take the position that we will not be able to reduce worldwide CO2 emissions sufficiently over the next 10 years to stem global warming," Turco said.
Turco discussed theoretical solutions to offset global warming such as burying carbon in the deep ocean, creating artificial particulate haze, and shuttling mirrors into space to create sunshade.
"These ideas are easy to throw out, but are a lot harder to implement," Turco said. "There are simpler ideas like painting all the roofs white and having everyone wear white hats."
The feasibility as well as the environmental consequences of these geo-engineering methods were analyzed as well. "The Earth is a complicated place," Turco said. "You change one thing and you affect many others."
Turco emphasized the outlandish nature of most of the geo engineering ideas and voiced his support for alternative solutions such as carbon sequestration.
"I have a better understanding of the use of conventional hydrocarbons," said Dr. Jim Busby. "I am more convinced now we should do more for the environment to get away from fossil fuels."
Be the first to comment on this story