Can Fake Trees Save the Planet?

Most people nowadays believe that global warming, and the human contribution to it, is very real. Now a growing number of scientists have moved on from convincing the public of the problem’s existence to pointing out that a line has been crossed. That is, we’ve crossed that scary point of no return. For that reason, scientists in the United Kingdom are getting to work on a back-up plan.

As part of an ongoing report those UK scientists are researching the feasibility of geo-engineering, or altering the Earth’s climate in order to mitigate or reverse the effects of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Now I know this enters the realm of science fiction but, to be fair, so did viable solar energy and space stations not so long ago.

Photo Credit: Bahugala

This group of scientists are part of the Royal Society, Britain’s national academy of science — not some crackpot institution by any means. Professor John Shepherd, the group’s chairman, pointed out that, “Our study aims to separate the science from the science fiction and offer recommendations on which options deserve serious consideration.” Fair enough, but it’s a little unsettling to think that we’re searching science fiction for answers.

Proposed geo-engineering solutions include those that would suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere — sounds logical but believed to be too slow a process. Another is the idea of vast plantations of fake trees, involving the bio-engineering of fast-growing trees that would suck CO2 out of the air as they grow. Then the wood would be turned into charcoal in gargantuan ovens and buried, never to be seen again…we hope. (more…)

Can Fake Trees Save the Planet?