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FreudoBaggage t1_j46p34w wrote

“No, no, everyone. Everyone, hear me out…what if burning more fossil fuel is the answer to your imaginary climate crisis?”

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Eberid t1_j46q4wg wrote

There was a serious proposal to do exactly that back in the early 2000s.

The proposal is based on the fact that more rapid heating, with all of the increased water vapor in the air, will result in an ice age setting in sooner than natural. The goal is to cause that to start as soon as possible, then use the ice age to fix our reliance upon fossil fuels without worries about the long-term effects of too much heat.

Strangely enough, it's still a viable solution. Just, well... it should be obvious why no one is considering it.

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FreudoBaggage t1_j46qoqk wrote

That is not the least bit surprising. It also appears to be the very plan we are implementing at the moment.

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Eberid t1_j46qycr wrote

Sadly, it's not. What we're instead doing is half-mixtures with technology that is itself prone to disruption by climate change... as Europe has spent the last four years learning the hard way.

Edit: If you're curious about how, see my next comment.

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Eberid t1_j46vbx1 wrote

Okay, to explain how.

Wind - Unfortunately, one of the effects of climate change is that wind patterns will shift. And, in fact, already are; this is what is causing Europe's energy shortage and forcing Germany to build more coal power plants. Effectively, this means the vast majority, if not all, of existing wind turbines are built in the wrong locations for both the short and long term. Notably, the only way they are disruptive is if you build massively more than needed for power generation in one area, so ignore that conspiracy theory.

Solar - Increased amount of water in the oceans is projected to cause increased volcanic eruptions, which are projected to increase the amount of silicates in the air... which will, in turn, decrease solar panel efficiency. Meaning we're currently building solar power plants for efficiency scales that will simply not be true when we need them the most. Oh, and then there is their contribution to the heat island effect and how that disrupts climate, but that's a different nightmare.

Water - Hydroelectric is problematic without climate change as a factor. It's becoming even more problematic as climate change impacts water supplies and lowers rivers and lakes. Pretty much, if it relies on water, we should be trying to reduce it as much as possible right now.

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