Comments on: The cost of losing coral: no drop in the ocean http://hot-topic.co.nz/the-cost-of-losing-coral-no-drop-in-the-ocean/ Global warming and the future of New Zealand Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:42:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Bandersdad http://hot-topic.co.nz/the-cost-of-losing-coral-no-drop-in-the-ocean/#comment-7839 Bandersdad Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:03:29 +0000 http://hot-topic.co.nz/?p=3313#comment-7839 As I've commented before I just struggle with the: "Perhaps it will register if it’s expressed in money terms." I know the Stern Report did it and to an extent mainstreamed climate change but I just don't see it as the way forward. It's like taking up arms to prevent aggressive behaviour. There are times it must be done but it isn't the long term answer to behaviour modification. We need to find another way and in my view this is where the real challenges of climate change lie. Fix this one or lose the rest. As I’ve commented before I just struggle with the:
“Perhaps it will register if it’s expressed in money terms.”
I know the Stern Report did it and to an extent mainstreamed climate change but I just don’t see it as the way forward. It’s like taking up arms to prevent aggressive behaviour. There are times it must be done but it isn’t the long term answer to behaviour modification. We need to find another way and in my view this is where the real challenges of climate change lie. Fix this one or lose the rest.

]]> By: Doug Mackie http://hot-topic.co.nz/the-cost-of-losing-coral-no-drop-in-the-ocean/#comment-7834 Doug Mackie Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:50:47 +0000 http://hot-topic.co.nz/?p=3313#comment-7834 Sorry to be so pluvial guys but cqestration does not seem promising: Not saying it can't work but it is a lot of work for just removing 1 or 2% of current emissions: The overall result is about 350 kg CO2 removed per tonne of limestone. Issue 1: Current emissions are about 30 billion tonnes CO2 per year. 1% of this = 300 million tonnes CO2. This 1% of annual emissions requires 850 million tonnes limestone to be calcined and transported. Any idea how much this is compared to global shipping capacity? (Hint: a lot). USGS gives total world production of lime in 2005 as 280 million tonnes. Issue 2: Not all areas of ocean are equally suitable (long story to do with upwelling and saturation depth) so some long distance transport of lime required. Also, need to disperse lime (or limestone) – can’t just dump it in one place. Issue 3: Energy requirement to mine, transport and calcine limestone. Energy to transport lime. Energy to disperse lime. etc etc Try googling for free copies of a paper by Harvey with the doi: 10.1029/2007JC004373. Sorry to be so pluvial guys but cqestration does not seem promising: Not saying it can’t work but it is a lot of work for just removing 1 or 2% of current emissions: The overall result is about 350 kg CO2 removed per tonne of limestone.

Issue 1: Current emissions are about 30 billion tonnes CO2 per year. 1% of this = 300 million tonnes CO2. This 1% of annual emissions requires 850 million tonnes limestone to be calcined and transported. Any idea how much this is compared to global shipping capacity? (Hint: a lot). USGS gives total world production of lime in 2005 as 280 million tonnes.

Issue 2: Not all areas of ocean are equally suitable (long story to do with upwelling and saturation depth) so some long distance transport of lime required. Also, need to disperse lime (or limestone) – can’t just dump it in one place.

Issue 3: Energy requirement to mine, transport and calcine limestone. Energy to transport lime. Energy to disperse lime.

etc etc

Try googling for free copies of a paper by Harvey with the doi: 10.1029/2007JC004373.

]]> By: Bryan Walker http://hot-topic.co.nz/the-cost-of-losing-coral-no-drop-in-the-ocean/#comment-7821 Bryan Walker Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:48:50 +0000 http://hot-topic.co.nz/?p=3313#comment-7821 Sam, thanks for the reminder. You drew attention to the process a few months ago when commenting on <a href = "http://hot-topic.co.nz/more-than-dreaming/" rel="nofollow"> this post </a> which discussed another sequestration possibility. I notice Lackner considers the cquestrate idea worth attention. Sam, thanks for the reminder. You drew attention to the process a few months ago when commenting on this post which discussed another sequestration possibility. I notice Lackner considers the cquestrate idea worth attention.

]]> By: samv http://hot-topic.co.nz/the-cost-of-losing-coral-no-drop-in-the-ocean/#comment-7816 samv Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:52:53 +0000 http://hot-topic.co.nz/?p=3313#comment-7816 <a href="http://www.cquestrate.com/" rel="nofollow">Cquestrate</a> springs to mind as a targeted mitigation strategy for this... could work in areas with lots of "stranded" solar energy, limestone deposits and nearby coral reefs eg North Australia. Cquestrate springs to mind as a targeted mitigation strategy for this… could work in areas with lots of “stranded” solar energy, limestone deposits and nearby coral reefs eg North Australia.

]]>