Transcript Document

Oceans and
Innovation
Desalination
• Process which removes salt
and other minerals from
seawater.
• Seawater is desalinated in
order to be converted to fresh
water suitable for human
consumption or irrigation.
• Large-scale desalination
requires large amounts of
energy and specialised,
expensive infrastructure.
Clean Renewable Energy: Offshore Wind
Clean Renewable Energy: Wave Power
Clean Renewable Energy: Tidal Power
Biofuels from Marine Algae
What is Geo-engineering?
The deliberate manipulation of Earth’s
environment/climate on a large scale in
order to mitigate, or adapt to, the effects
of climate change caused by greenhouse
gas emissions.
Distinct from environmental damage or
accidental anthropogenic climate change
which are side-effects of human activity
rather than a direct consequence.
Ocean Fertilisation: Basic Principles
Absorb CO2 to grow
Also need sunlight....
.....And nutrients
Phytoplankton (Microscopic plant
life of the oceans)
More phytoplankton = Greater
draw-down of CO2
Adding nutrients to the
surface-ocean will
stimulate phytoplankton
growth.
Key Issues and Concerns
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Logistically feasible?
What is the overall carbon budget?
Environmental impact?
Financially feasible?
Legal and political issues: The
oceans are a “Global Commons”
and who has control/power over
specific projects?
• Public response?
• Moral hazard