Energy requirements for VUV lasers was an unknown variable raised in one of the articles I linked. Yes there are no numbers for what amount of energy this might require because the technology is so new. Obviously it would enormous, but it suggested a similar solution as to what is used in lasers for nuclear power plants. The amount of power needed for those lasers that help produce nuclear energy is very high but it still produces a positive amount of energy from the nuclear power plant.
Thinking outside the box in this case means thinking about creating a way to mitigate climate change with a praticle amount of energy.
I was reading recently about an old idea of placing a shield at L1 to lower the amount of sunlight hitting the earth to offset global warming. Completely impractical and expensive, except now a new type of material that has been developed changes the costs and engineering challenges in a big way. Still a huge leap technically and politically. I'll see if I can find the article.
I'm not saying we have practical solutions. Just don't count out ingenuity yet.
Space/Science » in reply to Outside the box?
Energy to change the world
The whole thread (33 posts)
- So tell me, what do you guys think?
- We are far past the tipping point...
- What about carbon capture?
- 400+ ppm?
- I am all for it- but the scale of the problem makes it questionable
- I can't say I believe entirely in your assessment
- What about carbon capture?
- Something else to worry about.
- I think we'll need to wait and see. n/t
- We are far past the tipping point...