Plan B is how we make it possible to complete Plan A. An intro to Earth systems stabilization, from a panel at the Explorers Club during New York Climate Week.
Thanks for the excellent summary on where we are, and where we should be. I just have one comment. We should really stop referring to “Plan B”. You yourself come to this conclusion at the end of your article - but without explicitly saying so. “Plan A” is there, and we have to implement it (we are far from it). Because we have taken so long, we have to add a number of corrective measures to Plan A, such as removing massive quantities of carbon from the atmosphere; seriously doing heat management everywhere; much more on adaptation; and albedo management at local, regional and potentially at global levels. And let’s not forget that all this is still just within the “climate bubble”. The oceans, biodiversity, the land, etc., will all need their specific but linked stabilization plans in order to reach Earth System stabilization - without which sustainable development will not be possible. There is a lot to do!
I do agree, Plan B and Plan A are not the right way to talk about these. I couldn't help it though as that was the event title and I was trying to work with that! I like the way you describe it as corrective measures being added.
Hi Paul, I think you are missing a key step. None of this will happen without concerted focus on building constituencies of support for rebrightening the Earth. And a key constituency, beyond philanthropists, should be industries who face commercial risk from heat.
I think that's a fair point. But right now we don't even do observation and monitoring very well to know the state of these systems at risk. So I still see philanthropy and more people working on the problem as the very initial step.
And the biggest problem is lame solutions. When I say lame I mean LAME. You can't apply the science of just removing the ghgs because 1. There are many obstacles primarily survival and 2 it will take way too long as carbon sinks themselves are sources
And sai with that by the time it is deemed deplorable is God awful late.
I really think we have more obvious options in plan A. Too obvious that they are buried in our subconscious and we look to quick fixes that will take longer and are temporal.
Reflect now where we can on the surface and hydrate the soils either through desal, canals, levees, aquifers, etc.
Bright water.. water is THE heat machinery of Earth. Whether clouds, evaporate, ice storage/reflectivity, etc.
Water we gonna do at least in Plan A. All else is foolishness etc for bigger band aids.
Nice one Ben - excellent explainer
Thanks for the excellent summary on where we are, and where we should be. I just have one comment. We should really stop referring to “Plan B”. You yourself come to this conclusion at the end of your article - but without explicitly saying so. “Plan A” is there, and we have to implement it (we are far from it). Because we have taken so long, we have to add a number of corrective measures to Plan A, such as removing massive quantities of carbon from the atmosphere; seriously doing heat management everywhere; much more on adaptation; and albedo management at local, regional and potentially at global levels. And let’s not forget that all this is still just within the “climate bubble”. The oceans, biodiversity, the land, etc., will all need their specific but linked stabilization plans in order to reach Earth System stabilization - without which sustainable development will not be possible. There is a lot to do!
I do agree, Plan B and Plan A are not the right way to talk about these. I couldn't help it though as that was the event title and I was trying to work with that! I like the way you describe it as corrective measures being added.
Hi Paul, I think you are missing a key step. None of this will happen without concerted focus on building constituencies of support for rebrightening the Earth. And a key constituency, beyond philanthropists, should be industries who face commercial risk from heat.
I think that's a fair point. But right now we don't even do observation and monitoring very well to know the state of these systems at risk. So I still see philanthropy and more people working on the problem as the very initial step.
And the biggest problem is lame solutions. When I say lame I mean LAME. You can't apply the science of just removing the ghgs because 1. There are many obstacles primarily survival and 2 it will take way too long as carbon sinks themselves are sources
And sai with that by the time it is deemed deplorable is God awful late.
Hydrate and reflect now.
No other choice
Deployable was the adj for sai readiness. Spell check f's me always..a spell on me indeed
I really think we have more obvious options in plan A. Too obvious that they are buried in our subconscious and we look to quick fixes that will take longer and are temporal.
Reflect now where we can on the surface and hydrate the soils either through desal, canals, levees, aquifers, etc.
Bright water.. water is THE heat machinery of Earth. Whether clouds, evaporate, ice storage/reflectivity, etc.
Water we gonna do at least in Plan A. All else is foolishness etc for bigger band aids.