Posted on 11/14/2016 4:26:02 PM PST by Kaslin
Heh, I came back to this computer after being away from it for a while, and still had this thread up. Anyway, the answer is:
Mirrors.
In sun or earth orbit, very thin, very big. Doable (but expensive) with current technology.
Now, “whether it’s worth it” is debatable. In the case of a temperature rise (for whatever reason) no greater than the peak of the previous interglacial period, I’d say “probably not”. In the case of the next period of glaciation, due any time now (in terms of geologic time), “yes, no question.” In the latter case, with no attempt to alter the natural process, I don’t think we’d lose the human race, unless a large nuclear war is triggered, but, we’d likely lose 2-5 billion people.
Do we know how much incoming sunlight to block or add? That’s the hardest question...
“Do we know how much incoming sunlight to block or add? Thats the hardest question...”
Nature has already established that ratio.
It’s not quite that simple. The sun’s output is a major factor, but there are other factors, plus feedback mechanisms. Much is poorly understood and / or highly debatable. But, it is safe to say that even if the sun was perfectly stable, the climate on earth would still vary.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.