Abstract
An analytical model is developed for estimating the heat fluxes in the lower and upper parts of the atmosphere that would result from possible increases in the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and the ensuing temperature changes. For a doubling of the CO2 concentration by volume, the net heat flux to the troposphere is estimated to increase by 22 percent, and for a quadrupling of the concentration, the net heat flux increases by 39 percent, implying an enhanced energy input to the troposphere where weather phenomena are initiated. As a contingency measure in case efforts to reduce emissions are unsuccessful, a geoengineering project is considered to mitigate the effects of a possible runaway global change. The goal is the restoration of the ancient circumglobal equatorial current by digging a trans-isthmian sea level canal through the Isthmus of Panama using conventional and nuclear civil engineering methods. This would restore the temperate climatic conditions that existed 3 million years ago. Other alternatives involving ocean iron seeding, atmospheric injection of sulfates to increase reflectivity to solar radiation and shading the Earth with Mylar disc reflectors, are discussed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 14 2010 |
| Event | 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10 - Amman, Jordan Duration: Mar 21 2010 → Mar 24 2010 |
Publication series
| Name | 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10 |
|---|
Other
| Other | 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10 |
|---|---|
| Country | Jordan |
| City | Amman |
| Period | 3/21/10 → 3/24/10 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Nuclear Energy and Engineering
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Cite this
Atmospheric heat fluxes and restoration of the circumglobal equatorial current. / Stevens, Blake; Ragheb, Magdi.
2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10. 2010. 5462597 (2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Atmospheric heat fluxes and restoration of the circumglobal equatorial current
AU - Stevens, Blake
AU - Ragheb, Magdi
PY - 2010/6/14
Y1 - 2010/6/14
N2 - An analytical model is developed for estimating the heat fluxes in the lower and upper parts of the atmosphere that would result from possible increases in the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and the ensuing temperature changes. For a doubling of the CO2 concentration by volume, the net heat flux to the troposphere is estimated to increase by 22 percent, and for a quadrupling of the concentration, the net heat flux increases by 39 percent, implying an enhanced energy input to the troposphere where weather phenomena are initiated. As a contingency measure in case efforts to reduce emissions are unsuccessful, a geoengineering project is considered to mitigate the effects of a possible runaway global change. The goal is the restoration of the ancient circumglobal equatorial current by digging a trans-isthmian sea level canal through the Isthmus of Panama using conventional and nuclear civil engineering methods. This would restore the temperate climatic conditions that existed 3 million years ago. Other alternatives involving ocean iron seeding, atmospheric injection of sulfates to increase reflectivity to solar radiation and shading the Earth with Mylar disc reflectors, are discussed.
AB - An analytical model is developed for estimating the heat fluxes in the lower and upper parts of the atmosphere that would result from possible increases in the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and the ensuing temperature changes. For a doubling of the CO2 concentration by volume, the net heat flux to the troposphere is estimated to increase by 22 percent, and for a quadrupling of the concentration, the net heat flux increases by 39 percent, implying an enhanced energy input to the troposphere where weather phenomena are initiated. As a contingency measure in case efforts to reduce emissions are unsuccessful, a geoengineering project is considered to mitigate the effects of a possible runaway global change. The goal is the restoration of the ancient circumglobal equatorial current by digging a trans-isthmian sea level canal through the Isthmus of Panama using conventional and nuclear civil engineering methods. This would restore the temperate climatic conditions that existed 3 million years ago. Other alternatives involving ocean iron seeding, atmospheric injection of sulfates to increase reflectivity to solar radiation and shading the Earth with Mylar disc reflectors, are discussed.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77953239172&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77953239172&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/INREC.2010.5462597
DO - 10.1109/INREC.2010.5462597
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:77953239172
SN - 9781424452149
T3 - 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10
BT - 2010 1st International Nuclear and Renewable Energy Conference, INREC'10
ER -