Mixing oceans offers hope for tackling climate change
October 1st 2007 Planting giant vertical pumps into our oceans to mix up the water could hold the key to tackling global warming according to two of Britain's leading scientists.
In a letter to the publication, Nature, James Lovelock and Chris Rapley suggest large vertical pipes could be used to mix the nutrient-rich water found deep in the oceans with the comparatively baron water near the surface.
The scientists' theory is that this would cause algae to bloom at the surface of the ocean which would absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Then, when the algae dies it would drop to the ocean bed, taking the carbon with it.
Additionally, the algae would emit dimethyl sulphide into the atmosphere helping to form clouds which would also protect the planet.
The idea has not been without criticism, and the scientists themselves say they recognise there may be unwanted side effects, but they also remind the world, "the stakes are high."
"We wanted to use this approach to illustrate the value of action to halt climate change that was based on the recognition of the Earth as a self regulating system at present in a state of failure," Lovelock told news agent AFP.
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