The problem with the "Tipping Point" is that we humans have gotten to the point where we could cool the earth if we got desperate enough. We know from studying volcanoes that injecting large amounts of sulphur particulates into the stratosphere will cool the earth quite effectively. Any number of industrialized nations could do enough of this to counteract global warming for modest fractions of their GDPs. There are other materials we could use that would persist higher than the stratosphere and reduce certain negative consequences.
Unlike other things we can do about climate change, this is also quick!
Of course, the problem with this, is that there are sure to be unintended consequences. Perhaps this is another sort of "Tipping Point" -- where humanity follows a spiral of ever-increasing interventions with unintended consequences that spiral out of control.
More important: the ability to manipulate the global climate will have profound geopolitical and strategic ramifications. These are perhaps just as dangerous as the CO2 tipping point.
Unlike other things we can do about climate change, this is also quick!
Of course, the problem with this, is that there are sure to be unintended consequences. Perhaps this is another sort of "Tipping Point" -- where humanity follows a spiral of ever-increasing interventions with unintended consequences that spiral out of control.
More important: the ability to manipulate the global climate will have profound geopolitical and strategic ramifications. These are perhaps just as dangerous as the CO2 tipping point.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/david_keith_s_surprising_...