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Connecting the Dots
If you believe it is time to reduce coal and oil consumption, then it is time to connect the dots - recognize human intervention has become the meaning of the earth and embrace invention as the key to eco-triumph.
Two articles in today's Science Times reinforce major Breakthrough themes - human have become the meaning of the earth and it is time to imagine eco-triumph through that most core human value, invention. John Tierney provides a cogent discussion of basis for opposition to genetically modified crops and stem cell research. This discussion emphasizes how opposition is rooted in a quasi Judo-Christian conceptualization of nature which views human intrusion as a taboo. "Many Europeans, as well as leftists in America have rejected the traditional Christian God and replaced it with a post-Christian goddess of Mother Nature and a modified Christian eschatology. It isn't a coherent belief system. It might or might not incorporate New Age thinking. But deep down, there's a view that humans shouldn't be tampering with the natural world." The second piece by Andrew Pollack discusses how scientists are trying to genetically engineer trees to make them more efficient at producing ethanol and other sources of materials and energy. The fundamental concept is central to overcoming the ecological crisis - stop mining carbon sequestered in the earth for materials and energy and pursue technology that will address our needs through direct conversion of sunlight. The fact such technology is critical for creating the massive efficiency gains necessary for addressing climate change does not stop the Stop Genetically Engineered Trees Campaign from constructing a taboo: "Trees are the oldest and largest living organisms on the planet and are and have always been of significant cultural importance to many peoples all over the world. Genetically engineered trees pose unpredictable and unnecessary threats to the environment, biodiversity and human health." If you believe the greatest threat to the biosphere lies in the perpetration of technological systems that depends on mining coal and oil, then it is time to connect the dots - recognize the degree to which human intervention has already become the meaning of the earth and embrace invention as the key to eco-triumph. 3 COMMENTS: Ooops. Somehow a whole section my text was dropped from the comment. Here it is again in full. Yes, yes, YES. Technology was always the key to the relationship between humans and nature. But now, with so many people, it holds the key to the relationship between the human race and the planet. There can be much much good -- what we view as progress. And there can be problems -- terrible ones. Much depends on the positive feedback loops. Warming means there will be a longer growing season in Canada and thawing permafrost will release even more greenhouse gases. The question is not really to have technology or not, but whether a particular technological approach gives us new and larger problems or new and larger solutions? A positive feedback loop for solutions? Hmmmm, I hope that got your attention. But is such a thing possible? I believe the answer is YES and it takes the form of an ancient-future soil technology called Terra Preta do Indio (Portuguese for Indian Black Earth). Recent research emerging from the Amazon basin is locating large deposits of an extremely fertile and resilent soil called terra preta. Examinations of it are revealing both pottery sherds and charcoal which suggests that it was made by the indians long ago (carbon dating says much of it is 2500 to 4000 years old). Amending soils with charcoal has long been known as a way to increase crop yields. The soil is so productive (up to 800% increased plant growth) that it could have easily supported an agriculture capable of feeding hundreds of thousand (perhaps millions)of people living in great cities along the river, which is the legend of El Dorado. But do we have to embrace a mythic vision, a conquistador's dream of gold? Is there some solid science involved? Might there actually be a modern soil technolgy whereby faster growing plants would draw more CO2 out of the atmosphere and the unused plant waste turned into charcoal (through pyrolisis) to be returned to the soil for increased productiviity, more carbon capture and long term sequestration, more food and fuel for increasing populations, and more. In other words, might there be a positive feedback loop for healing ourselves and the earth? A technologically supported relationship for bringing human beings and nature into a mutually supportive marriage? A sustainable technology of abundance? The data are not in but the research is being conducted and the hopes are great. Please check out the following links to discover more about this exciting possibility. The ABC 11 minute video about the the modern version of terra preta called "Agrichar" is here. A lay person's introduction to terra preta is here. Research confirms that char added to soil boosts crop productivity -- discussed here. The BBC transcript of TheSecret of El Dorado" is here". Ken Salazar has introduced a bill in the US Senate that would fund research on agrichar (the modern name for terra preta). It is discussed here. I report the story unfolding from Brazil here. Re: A positive feedback loop for solutions? This would undoubtedly be pervasive and feedback with many positive results for all on the planet. While at the same feedback would be catastrophic to many business interests. Imagine your joy if the next car you purchase never needs a ?refill? because of the internal power plant, no more gas stations! However everyone from the gas station to the people in the Saudi Arabia oils fields will not share your joy. Thats what change does. Thats what we need. Sorry Saudi Arabia. Albert Einstein published his Breakthrough Change 102 years ago and today France is powered 80% by nuclear power. You are welcome France. But Einstein chipped his teeth on his quest for the Unified Theory. From a mathematics standpoint, Einstein could not account for the weak forces such as gravity. However when man finally does attain the breakthrough of the Unified Theory it will usher that pervasive Breakthrough Change of artificial gravity fields. Imagine a plate with a rod through the center. Cast a small heavy gravity field on the right side of the plate. Then make the left side of the plat lighter. This would cause the plate to spin clockwise as the right side of the plate is always heavier. The plate spins the rod. Put some armatures on the rod and one has a generator that can feedback the power needed to perpetuate the gravity field. A square box 2ft by 2ft could generate 500,000 watts and rarely need servicing. This would be a power plant that could power several large homes or power the first electric NASCAR entry! Can you imaging the Step Function change this would create? Come to think of it, it would be more like a Leap Function! All we need is that one simple technical solution. We have been searching for 100 years now for the Unified Field Theory. Sooner or later this change will hit us with all the feedback it can muster. Post a comment |
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Yes, yes, YES. Technology was always the key to the relationship between humans and nature. But now, with so many people, it has the key to the here.
The ABC 11 minute video about the the modern version of terra preta called "Agrichar" is here.
Research confirms that char added to soil boosts crop productivity -- discussed here
The BBC transcript of "TheSecret of El Dorado" is here.
Ken Salazar has introduced a bill in the US Senate that would fund research on agrichar (the modern name for terra preta). It is discussed here.
I report the story unfolding from Brazil here.
Posted by: Lou Gold at November 20, 2007 11:09 PM