Stop Global Warming With Smog?

lkypnk writes, "The AP is reporting that Nobel Prize winning scientist Paul Crutzen has suggested deliberately spreading a layer of particulate matter in the upper atmosphere to help reflect some of the sun's energy in an effort to combat global warming. He reminds us that the eruption of the volcano Pinatubo in 1991 cooled the planet by as much as 0.9 degrees; he believes his computer simulations show a similar effect from deliberate injection of sulfur into the atmosphere by humans. Whatever the feasibility of the idea, as the president of the National Environmental Trust has said, 'We are already engaged in an uncontrolled experiment by injecting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.'" From the article: "'It was meant to startle the policy makers,' said [Crutzen]. 'If they don't take action much more strongly than they have in the past, then in the end we have to do experiments like this.' ... Serious people are taking Crutzen's idea seriously."

And when the Smog Monster causes problems...

[Channard]

.. that's when we call in Godzilla.

Re: Deja vu ...

[Black Parrot]

> If you follow the link in the old Slashdot story, you'll find out that it's indeed about Paul Crutzen's idea as well.

Hell, we won't even read the current Slashdot story.

Re:Ok what if it gets too cool?

[maxwell demon]

Reminds me of the old joke:

Two planets meet: "Hello, how are you?" - "Bad. I've got homo sapiens." - "Don't worry. That passes."

Re:Global Dimming

[metlin]

Are you telling me that the whole world is going to be a dark, rainy, dreary, grey place like England?

Oh noeeeeees!

Re:NOVA episode

[malsdavis]

...and record draughts in the Amazon rainforest are just a couple of recent examples

erm, I meant "drought" rather than "draughts". I do not personally know of any evidence of a recent increase in the playing of the game draughts within the Amazon rainforest.

Re:Global Dimming

[roesti]

Are you telling me that the whole world is going to be a dark, rainy, dreary, grey place like England?

It's also going to be a place where everyone whinges about everything but does nothing about it. And nobody will be able to play cricket.

Like England.

Obligatory Futurama..

[Talonator]

... thus solving the problem once and for all.
But-
ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Seriously though, wouldn't it be great if global warming happened but nuclear winter canceled it out?

In the long run, it's a payoff to Arm and Hammer..

[CFD339]

..as we alternate year over year with using Sulfur in odd numbered years and Baking Soda in the even number years. This would also enhance the general SMELL of the place, keeping it fresh and preventing food odors from mixing on a global basis.

Re:Finally a use foor the space elevator

[mikael]

Just launch lots and lots of weather balloons - they should be white/silver enough to reflect all that light back out to space. And if arranged correctly, they could be used to create advertising visible from space, offering unlimited advertising opportunities.

Anyone read that headline as..

[Anonymous Coward]

"Stop Global Warming With Song?" I did. and I'm not dyslexic. I guess the von Trapp [imdb.com] really can save the world.

Please STFU!

[RealGrouchy]

Ack! Please stop talking about this! The last thing we need is ignorant, suburban SUV drivers thinking that they're actually helping the planet!

Ozone in atmosphere = good

Ozone at street level = doubleplus bad!

I know this, you know this, but soccer dad thinks "oh, I'd better turn on the air conditioning to help global cooling!"

- RG>

Re:The Matrix

[jandersen]

This eerily reminds of the guy who pissed himself to keep warm.

Re:Finally a use foor the space elevator

[skarphace]

...golf-stream...

I loose a lot of balls there.