Alameda Rejects First-In-The-Nation Solar Geoengineering Experiment
A Marine Cloud Brightening experiment by University of Washington researchers was unanimously blocked by the Alameda City Council. The University of Washington's climate change experiment, which began in Alameda, California in March without the knowledge or approval of local officials, will not be restarted locally after the Alameda City Council rejected a request from researchers at its City Council meeting. The experiment, aimed at reducing global warming by spraying salt into the air to brighten clouds that reflect the sun's rays away from earth as they enter the atmosphere. The City of Alameda quickly shut down the experiment until its impact on local residents could be studied. Concerns included lack of notice given to the public about the study before the project began and lack of outreach by researchers to regional air quality, water quality, and regulatory agencies, the desire for more public health analysis on the potential human health impacts of the study, and proximity to the general public. Environmental groups worldwide reacted with alarm and campaigns to educate local officials about unintended consequences. The Center for International Environmental Law welcomed the council's decision, calling it a victory against false climate solutions.
ที่ตีพิมพ์ : 10 เดือนที่แล้ว โดย Bea Karnes ใน Environment
ALAMEDA, CA — A climate change experiment that the University of Washington began in Alameda back in March, without the knowledge or approval of local officials, will not be restarted locally after the Alameda City Council turned down a request from researchers at its City Council meeting this week.
The goal of the experiment is certainly noble — to limit global warming by spraying salt into the air to brighten clouds so that they reflect the sun's rays away from earth as they enter the atmosphere.
The scientists set up their experiment on the decommissioned USS Hornet, docked in Alameda, without permission from local, state or federal officials. Instead, their experiment, complete with photos, was unveiled in the New York Times.
Alameda quickly shut down the solar geoengineering experiment until its impact on local residents could be studied.
In a statement, the City of Alameda explained its action following this week's vote, "Concerns expressed by the Council included lack of notice to the City and public about the study before the project began in March, the lack of outreach by researchers to regional air quality, water quality, and other regulatory agencies, the desire for more public health analysis on the potential human health impacts of the study, and the proximity of the experiments to the general public and especially to youth populations.
"The City acts as the landlord for the Hornet’s lease at Pier 3," the City continued in its statement. "The Council’s decision followed a staff report and robust public comment period including remarks from the research team, independent biological and hazardous materials review by consultants, Alameda residents, and individuals engaged from across the world."
Indeed, environmental groups around the world reacted with alarm to what was happening in Alameda and mobilized campaigns to educate local officials about unintended consequences. The Center for International Environmental Law released a statement after the vote. "We strongly welcome Alameda City Council's unanimous decision to say no to the first open-air Marine Cloud Brightening experiment in the US," said Geoengineering Campaign Manager Mary Church,"The rejection rightfully reflects the gravity of what’s at stake for both local and global communities.
"Geoengineering, by its very definition, involves manipulating earth systems at a regional or planetary level to have an impact on the global climate," Church continued. "While it could affect everyone on earth, its effects can neither be tested without large-scale deployment, nor controlled or undone once unleashed. We cannot geoengineer our way out of the climate crisis, what we need is to focus on real and proven solutions, starting with a phase out of all fossil fuels."
Friends of the Earth's Climate & Energy Justice Program called the vote a massive win against false, untested climate solutions. Ben Day commented, "The risks of geoengineering to the planet are too high, and there is no safe and humane scientific pathway forward to test technology like this." Instead, day called for reduced emissions as the pathway to stewardship for the planet.
You may review the Alameda City Council's agenda and staff report to learn more. A video of the meeting is available online.