Earth is the only known planet where mankind can live. Even on Venus and Mars, the planets in our solar system most similar to Earth, we cannot live for a minute without a space suit or under a closed dome with breathable air. But what are we doing to Earth? We spoil it and make it unliveable for our descendants by pumping greenhouse gases and pollutants into our atmosphere as if there is no tomorrow!

Global warming (or climate change) is a serious matter we should all be very concerned about! We know, that the greenhouse effect is mainly caused by creating excessive carbon dioxide and methane, which nature cannot all absorb any more. Some of the main causes for global warming or climate change is industrialization in developing countries and with it the growing living standard for an increasing number of people.

Until now, there have been several useful concepts suggested and partly introduced for slowing global warming, like carbon trading, generating alternative energies (e.g. solar, wind and geothermal), more fuel-efficient cars, planting new trees etc. But do they go far and fast enough? Maybe not.

This is a race against time! I believe that we may have only 10-20 years remaining till we get a runaway greenhouse effect, that is, then global warming or climate change cannot be controlled, let alone stopped, any more and may even accelerate! E.g. this could happen when the ice caps of the Arctic and Antarctic melt (thereby decrease sunlight reflection) the tundra defrosts and thereby releases methane and when the oceans cannot absorb any more carbon dioxide.

In the following I will suggest some rough ideas in short form I think should be looked at for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, for slowing down and even stopping global warming within about twenty years or so. To be effective, they need further developing and – above all – implementing. I would be happy to help anybody with providing more ideas and concepts including preparing a detailed plan as described on my web page World Problems .

Ideas and concepts for solving the problem

 
1. Introduce a carbon tax

Almost everything that is produced and used for movement needs energy. But creating and using energy usually causes pollution mainly in form of carbon dioxide (CO2). The component of these emissions should be taxed, the money be kept in a so-called environment fund and only be used for measures to reduce greenhouse gases. The biggest polluters, namely vehicles and power stations, should be included and fuel for vehicles loaded with a carbon tax accordingly.
I think carbon trade is a good first step in the right direction, but it may give some worst polluters the chance to continue polluting as much as they like after paying for it, and it doesn't contribute any money to the environment fund. Trouble is, if such polluters have kind of a monopoly for their services with little competition, they can easily raise their charges without harming their business. Therefore, also a time limit should be introduced by law for reducing emissions from polluters step by step.

2. Make buildings energy neutral or energy positive

Every new building, be it an industrial, office or residential building, should require a minimum comprehensive energy rating. This would include not only passive energy savings like insulation and natural lighting (plus with fibre optics from the outside) but also active generation of electricity with solar panels and/or solar and light-sensitive coating on roofs, windows and the other outer surface where feasible. These areas can then generate electricity, the excess (not consumed in the building) be fed into the power grid and sold to the electricity provider. This concept can have a great positive effect and pay for itself over time.

3. Let locals plant trees

Large areas on our planet have been deforested by mostly local people, needing more land, selling precious timber or using the wood for cooking meals. The locals should be paid for planting new trees on marginal land and for maintaining them. They can keep a small farm, if wanted, and even get free fertilizer, seed and tools for working the land and feeding their families. Every household should also get a free solar cooking pot, so the people won’t need wood for fire during most days. The communities should get involved in the scheme.

4. Choose specific trees for planting

The most suitable trees should be selected for being planted in different environments, preferably on marginal land. They should grow big and fast within about 20 years to their final size, absorbing at least five tons carbon dioxide during their growth period. They should also last long, for at least 100 years, for keeping carbon stored during this time before they die and release it again while rotting. (This would give us sufficient time to reduce the global warming effect sufficiently.) - Alternatively, they could be used for building structures, thereby also keeping carbon stored. Special genetically modified trees should be used if necessary.
Done effectively, an area of 1,000 square miles (or ~2500qkm) planted with such trees could suck up the CO2 amount, generated by about 6 million cars, during their growth period!

5. Share relevant new technology globally

The greenhouse effect is a global phenomenon. Scientists and engineers of the main countries should work together for further developing and sharing new technology for cleaner coal and CO2 capture underground and for other methods to reduce greenhouse gases. E.g. countries that export coal should commit themselves for helping coal-importing countries with these concepts. Because of their high population, particularly China and India are operating lots of coal-fired power stations (still rapidly increasing in numbers), whose pollution could probably be reduced considerably by this concept like in other countries.

6. Increase reflection of sun radiation

Part of the sun radiation doesn’t reach the surface of the earth and therefore cannot warm it up but is reflected by clouds. (Also ice caps reflect sunlight well, but they are now receding.) So there is the question of how to increase the cloud cover to achieve a certain cooling effect in the daytime. I have thought about different ideas for effectively reflecting sun radiation and suggested some concepts for this on my web page 'Wild Ideas'. 

It’s a different situation at night. Then the cloud cover should be decreased in order to enhance radiation of heat from earth into space. Some concepts for this and further possible solutions are included on my web page 'Wild Ideas', as well.

Ideas under point 6 are regarded as temporary measures only for winning enough time to reduce global warming.  

 
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