Great, that's helpful, thanks Ron. Josh
On Friday, September 23, 2022 at 2:28:07 PM UTC-4 rpba...@gmail.com wrote: > Hi Josh, > > As far as I know it was in response to a general call for comments (see > intro to the HPAC response) here: > https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rByAkb7rBO8f5lMCKUcMqJPlaFuhftNi/edit > > I don't know of any documents from the OSTP or the USGCRP on the proposed > research program that have been publicly shared. > > Best, > Ron Baiman (HPAC OSTP response drafting committee) > > > > On Fri, Sep 23, 2022 at 12:19 PM Josh Horton <joshuah...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hi all, >> >> Obviously I'm late to this conversation, but I have a quick question for >> those of you who were engaged -- were the comments many of you submitted in >> response to a draft plan or something similar made available by OSTP, or in >> response to a general call for thoughts on research and research >> governance? I assume it was the latter, but if it was the former can >> someone please pass along any relevant documents? Thanks. >> >> Josh Horton >> >> On Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 2:14:25 AM UTC-4 Sev Clarke wrote: >> >>> My submission was: >>> >>> *THREE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS* >>> >>> >>> >>> *Introduction. *As harnessing industry is likely to be key to prompt >>> and effective climate action and investment, the text in blue bold below >>> indicates some of the industrial applications of the three conceptual >>> technologies. Some of them should be profitable. Most await independent >>> assessment, modelling, development, governance and deployment. Supporting >>> documentation is available on request. The three technologies are currently >>> under active investigation by a consortium of renowned research institutes. >>> >>> >>> >>> *Buoyant Flake Ocean Fertilization (BFOF)* is designed to nutriate >>> oligotrophic surface waters with the necessary nutrients. Rice husks rich >>> in opaline silica are coated in waste minerals containing iron, phosphate >>> and trace elements using hot-melt lignin glue derived from straw or woody >>> waste and a leavening agent to provide buoyancy. Reactive nitrogen is >>> provided by nutrient-supplemented cyanobacteria that convert atmospheric >>> nitrogen and CO2 into biomass. The flakes are pumped pneumatically from the >>> holds of bulk cargo ships thinly over the sea surface, into which flake >>> nutrients leach out over a year before the husks disintegrate and sink. >>> >>> >>> >>> Modelling should be able to establish the theoretical cooling effect >>> provided by increasing the albedo of these waters by increasing their >>> phytoplankton concentrations. Modelling and experimentation should also be >>> able to estimate the increase in marine biomass that would likely be >>> generated by such supplementary fertilization, together with its beneficial >>> effects on ocean de-acidification and the moving downwards (sequestration) >>> of the carbonaceous material contained in marine faeces, dead organisms, >>> marine ‘snow', flake residuals, and the bicarbonate released by bacterial >>> and chemical action. It has been estimated that this could sequester from >>> 6-13GtC/yr in the ocean depths - at very low cost, or even profitably. >>> >>> >>> >>> The ultra-slow release of nutrients into nutrient-poor, and increasingly >>> stratified, surface waters should allow a rich and stable marine ecology to >>> develop. Furthermore, it would tend to prevent eutrophication and toxicity >>> from occurring. The effectiveness of this proposed method has recently been >>> given a major boost, as it was realized that krill and other diel, >>> vertically-migrating (DVM) species form an Active Carbon Pump that, when >>> supplemented by increased phytoplankton numbers fed by the minerals >>> released by the buoyant flakes, could release sufficient carbon-rich faecal >>> pellets and respiration at depth fully to offset annual anthropogenic >>> carbon dioxide emissions. *The commercial opportunities offered by >>> this technology lie mainly in the additional fish catch or fishing >>> royalties that it could provide. In time, independently-verified carbon >>> credits might also become monetizable from proven carbon sequestration. The >>> increase in ocean cooling albedo caused by the solar-reflecting >>> phytoplankton and their cloud-thickening emissions is unlikely to be >>> monetizable, though beneficial to the biosphere and humanity. * >>> >>> >>> >>> Floating* Seatomizer* (seawater atomizing) units, powered by offshore >>> wind farms, could spray seawater into the lower atmosphere to humidify the >>> air, form high-albedo marine cloud, cool the surface water, restore coral >>> reefs, increase off-planet heat flow, and irrigate the land with >>> additional, gentle precipitation. BETE’s commercial spray nozzles, when >>> adapted to use higher and triphasic pressures, might generate droplets in >>> the right size distributions to produce sea salt aerosols, cloud >>> nucleation, atmospheric humidification up to the point where saturation >>> occurs, marine cloud forms or thickens, and rainfall or snow may be induced >>> to fall at predetermined distances downwind - saving crops, forests, and >>> homes. Performed in arctic warm seasons, ice albedo and thickness could be >>> protected. >>> >>> >>> >>> Anchored arrays of Seatomizer units should be able to have significant >>> regional cooling effects on the warming waters that power extreme weather >>> events. The main effect is to increase the rate of evaporation of seawater, >>> its turbulent uplift, and the subsequent long wave radiation of its >>> released vapour heat content, on condensation, into space. A recent >>> extension of this technology would allow for iron salt aerosols (ISA) to be >>> sublimated to generate photocatalytic aerosols that destroy harmful >>> atmospheric methane, black carbon, ozone and smog. *Economically >>> cooling selected marine waters, including those related to sensitive >>> mariculture operations. Desert re-greening.* >>> >>> >>> >>> The ice thickening concept of* Ice Shields* is designed to refreeze >>> those parts of the polar and subpolar oceans that have been progressively >>> losing ice for the last several decades, as well as to sequester surface >>> ocean and atmospheric CO2 and O2. The means used are cold-adapted, >>> commercial floating wind turbines powering seawater pumps to thicken, and >>> possibly ground, sea ice by up to seventy metres per year. Ice shield array >>> growth should: increase global albedo and cooling; stabilise the polar >>> vortex; save the ice sheets and the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Current >>> (AMOC); strengthen the marine biological pump; and help to control seabed >>> methane emissions. >>> >>> >>> >>> The carbon dioxide and oxygen sequestration in the depths would result >>> from the gases’ concentration in the fast chilling and salinating seawater >>> brine flowing intermittently in thin sheets and rivulets down the >>> gently-inclined, conical ice shields (like lava) and off them into the sea >>> to sink by density rapidly to the seabed. The arrays of ice shields could >>> eventually cover most of the polar regions and subpolar seas, leaving only >>> open water for polynyas and surface marine passage by ships and wildlife. >>> The brine flows would sequester for up to centuries the atmospheric >>> CO2 dissolved in them, as it would react with seabed carbonates (shells, >>> bones and limestone) to form benign, dissolved bicarbonate. The additional >>> oceanic oxygen and cooling would be beneficial to most marine life. >>> >>> >>> >>> The thermals resulting from the heat released by the freezing seawater >>> would convect ocean heat energy directly to the tropopause, whence it would >>> radiate, almost unhindered by the otherwise-insulating GHGs, into deep >>> space. In the non-freezing seasons, the seawater pumps could be applied to >>> spraying low-micron, seawater droplets into the atmosphere so that it >>> formed ice-protecting cloud cover. Some of the spare power might also be >>> used for Seatomizer-like methane destruction by ISA. *As corporate >>> involvement is likely to be an essential component of this solution, >>> profits might be derived from government contracts, carbon credits, coastal >>> stabilization, habitat protection, renewable Arctic wind power sufficient >>> to power most of the northern hemisphere, and the harvesting of ebullient >>> Arctic methane.* >>> >>> >>> >>> On Friday, September 9, 2022 at 8:57:15 AM UTC+10 Andrew Lockley wrote: >>> >>>> If anyone has drafted comments it would be great to see them here. >>>> >>>> A >>>> >>>> On Thu, 8 Sept 2022, 23:53 Ron Baiman, <rpba...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *Request for Public Comments:* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, the White House Office >>>>> of Science and Technology Policy >>>>> <https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/legal/> (OSTP), in coordination with >>>>> relevant Federal agencies, was directed by Congress to develop a >>>>> five-year >>>>> “scientific assessment of solar and other rapid climate interventions in >>>>> the context of near-term climate risks and hazards. The report shall >>>>> include: >>>>> >>>>> 1. >>>>> >>>>> the definition of goals in relevant areas of scientific research; >>>>> 2. >>>>> >>>>> capabilities required to model, analyze, observe, and monitor >>>>> atmospheric composition; >>>>> 3. >>>>> >>>>> climate impacts and the Earth's radiation budget; and >>>>> 4. >>>>> >>>>> the coordination of Federal research and investments to deliver >>>>> this assessment to manage near-term climate risk and research in >>>>> climate >>>>> intervention. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> OSTP recognizes the importance of this research topic. With the >>>>> assistance of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, OSTP is offering a >>>>> brief comment period to enable public input while also providing a timely >>>>> response to Congress. The focus of this plan will be on research >>>>> associated with climate intervention, and comments are being requested in >>>>> that context only. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Input should be narrative only (i.e., no figures, graphics, or >>>>> attachments), should be limited to 1,000 words, should respond to the >>>>> Congressional direction above, and should relate either to one of the >>>>> four >>>>> categories listed in legislative language or more generally to climate >>>>> intervention research. Input must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on >>>>> September 9, 2022. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Posted, Aug 19, 2022 >>>>> >>>>> Open Notice, >>>>> https://www.globalchange.gov/content/request-input-five-year-climate-intervention-research-plan >>>>> >>>>> Individuals interested in submitting comment should visit >>>>> contribute.globalchange.gov >>>>> >>>>> *HPAC Submission* >>>>> >>>>> Healthy Planet Action Coalition USGCRP RCI Comment >>>>> >>>>> The Healthy Planet Action Coalition is a diverse international group >>>>> of scientists, engineers, technologists, and public policy experts active >>>>> in relevant fields spanning all aspects of climate change. >>>>> >>>>> We are united by a determined and informed optimism that a threefold >>>>> approach can prevent climate catastrophes and restore a more benevolent >>>>> climate. We call this approach “The Climate Triad”. >>>>> >>>>> The Climate Triad of Direct Climate Cooling (DCC), GHG Emissions >>>>> Reductions, and Greenhouse Gas Removal (GHGR) works as a complementary >>>>> system to stabilize and moderate the climate and ultimately restore a >>>>> safe, >>>>> healthy, and sustainable planet. Creating this system requires a >>>>> collaborative, inclusive, and expedited research program with a priority >>>>> focus on direct climate cooling. HPAC offers these recommendations >>>>> for the development of such a program. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> (1) The definition of goals in relevant areas of scientific research >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The Healthy Planet Action Coalition calls on the White House to set >>>>> direct climate cooling, greenhouse gas removal and emission reduction as >>>>> co-equal priorities. An overall goal of keeping temperature rise below >>>>> 1.5°C could be achieved by a primary focus in this decade on cooling >>>>> technologies to increase planetary albedo, cut radiative forcing, and >>>>> implement other methods for direct climate cooling. Urgent direct climate >>>>> cooling is now necessary to reduce current and near term human and other >>>>> species harm and risk from current and near term future levels of global >>>>> warming. Due to this urgency, we ask that the proposed five year research >>>>> and implementation plan, depending on the method, be accelerated to one >>>>> or >>>>> two years. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The following is a menu of proposed climate cooling approaches that we >>>>> suggest merit early consideration and responsible investigation with >>>>> actions that can be monitored and reported on: >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Buoyant Flakes >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Cirrus cloud thinning >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Fizz Tops (Fiztops) >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Ice Shields to thicken polar ice >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Iron salt aerosol (ISA) >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Making building and paving material more reflective and planting >>>>> trees in urban areas. >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Marine algal bloom stimulation >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Marine cloud brightening >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Mirrors for Earth's Energy Rebalancing (MEER) >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Ocean thermal energy conversion >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Restoring natural upwelling and kelp forest ecosystem services >>>>> offshore >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Restoring soil and vegetation >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Seawater atomization (Seatomizers) >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) >>>>> - >>>>> >>>>> Surface Albedo Modification (SAM) >>>>> >>>>> Short summaries for most of these methods written or reviewed by >>>>> climate cooling experts cited in the document are available here: >>>>> https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TowThwi6j6cX3iLGBRrj22D30cYhKa_9/edit >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Relevant scientific research on direct climate cooling methods and >>>>> technologies currently being conducted include marine cloud brightening, >>>>> stratospheric aerosol injection, sea-ice freezing, ocean thermal >>>>> energy conversion, ocean and glacier microspheres, terrestrial and >>>>> atmospheric mirrors, cirrus cloud thinning, iron salt aerosols, and white >>>>> reflective rooftops and streets. >>>>> >>>>> Refreezing the poles should be a global climate priority in support of >>>>> national and international security, biodiversity protection, and >>>>> reducing >>>>> extreme weather and sea level rise. US encouragement of COP27 in Cairo >>>>> to >>>>> set goals on albedo and biodiversity would sharpen research priorities. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> (2) Capabilities required to model, analyze, observe, and monitor >>>>> atmospheric composition >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> A direct climate cooling program will require major capabilities in >>>>> atmospheric science, enabling scientific experts to provide direct advice >>>>> to government and industry on priorities and findings. Modeling, >>>>> analysis, >>>>> observation and monitoring of the atmosphere must guide climate >>>>> intervention priorities and programs. Research, testing and deployment >>>>> strategies require high level scientific skills in universities, >>>>> supported >>>>> by public and private investment. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> A way to encourage investment in cooling expertise is to introduce >>>>> direct climate cooling credits as a more immediate climate offset than >>>>> carbon credits. Coordination of atmospheric science with governance >>>>> systems is essential to enforce ethical standards, ensure safety and >>>>> consultation through transparent and accountable planning and delivery, >>>>> and >>>>> link with international diplomacy on programs such as refreezing the >>>>> Arctic. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> (3) Climate impacts and the Earth's radiation budget >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> A focus on cooling technology is the best way to mitigate climate >>>>> impacts and improve the Earth’s radiation budget in the near term, >>>>> alongside ongoing work on emission reduction and GHG removal as they take >>>>> effect over the longer-term. The best overall measure of climate impacts >>>>> is >>>>> radiative forcing, the excess of incoming over outgoing radiation at the >>>>> top of the atmosphere. Government and private funds should be applied to >>>>> methods that most effectively cut radiative forcing. Augmenting the >>>>> current carbon credit system with a system of direct climate cooling >>>>> credits would better cost the temperature impact of emission reduction, >>>>> greenhouse gas removal and direct cooling technology. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> (4) Coordination of Federal research and investments to deliver this >>>>> assessment to manage near-term climate risk and research in climate >>>>> intervention. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The USA should coordinate with other nations to develop a cooperative >>>>> international program to refreeze the Arctic Ocean. Domestic US resources >>>>> should be mobilized to support coordinated global and regional climate >>>>> cooling. Arctic Amplification (with up to four times the temperature rise >>>>> of the equator) and the role of Arctic sea-ice in regulating climate >>>>> through the jet stream and ocean currents make the Arctic Circle the most >>>>> serious planetary warming risk and cooling priority. Substantial >>>>> cooling >>>>> of the Arctic must be complemented by similar cooling of the Antarctic to >>>>> achieve a stable global climate benefit. Ongoing disruption of these >>>>> planetary systems is a major climate security risk, whereas action to >>>>> reverse the disruption has benefits for peacebuilding, biodiversity and >>>>> mitigation of warming. Climate security should be integrated with >>>>> military >>>>> security as part of national strategic priority setting and risk >>>>> assessment. Diplomacy through the Arctic Council and COP27 and other >>>>> relevant international bodies should engage on the urgency of cooling the >>>>> pole, laying a foundation for the USA to work with other interested >>>>> governments to test and deploy methods that will help reverse the current >>>>> warming trend. Coordinated research and investment can be promoted by >>>>> the >>>>> USA taking a strong stance at COP27 and in other relevant international >>>>> forums in favor of assessing direct cooling technology and refreezing the >>>>> Arctic Ocean. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "geoengineering" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to geoengineerin...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/CAPhUB9AtiHkp7VHdDJBqBDG2DJAyOJ%2BJh5J%2BnmWQyY4TVoecpw%40mail.gmail.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/CAPhUB9AtiHkp7VHdDJBqBDG2DJAyOJ%2BJh5J%2BnmWQyY4TVoecpw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "geoengineering" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to geoengineerin...@googlegroups.com. >> > To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/bc20c165-6bf6-4de4-9183-556d751e959fn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/bc20c165-6bf6-4de4-9183-556d751e959fn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "geoengineering" group. 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