Climate Change Economics

by Climate Change Economics LLC

“The place to go for the things you need to know.”

A Biological Solution
to Climate Change and CO2
in the Atmosphere of Planet Earth
as part of a
Comprehensive Approach
to Climate Change

by Barry Piacenza

Climate Change Economics LLC - February 4, 2010

Hypothesis - For millions of years the Earth did not contain oxygen as a primary gas within its atmosphere. Approximately 3.5 billion years ago that began to change due to some of the oldest living organisms on the planet. From a modern perspective Stromatolite and Cyanobacteria are still in existence today as seen in Australia and the Bahamas. These organisms among the oldest living on earth helped to change the atmosphere of the planet from the caustic mixture to the oxygen atmosphere we have today. The Stromatolite form was common in many parts of the planet at that time, including the Americas as far north as Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, dating from about the upper Archaean to the lower Proterozoic eras.

The hypothesis is a regeneration of these bacteria along the Earth’s coastlines to increase the level of oxygen production on the planet. This is a partial solution, in conjunction with all other technological methodologies for carbon removal and/or sequestration within the atmosphere of the planet. Such reproduction could easily take place given the technology we have today, as well as further study of the existing colonies in existence.

Modern Stromatolites in Shark Bay, Western Australia

Introduction: The scientific data from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other scientific sources illustrates climate change as one of the greatest challenges facing mankind. No doubt there will be multiple solutions all operating in concert across a broad spectrum of disciplines. This concept was born of examination of paleoclimatology documentation concerning the formation of the Earth's atmosphere from various authors. The cyanobacteria and stromatolites were important in the shaping the evolution and ecological change of early earth's history. The atmosphere that we depend on was generated by numerous cyanobacteria for those synthesizing during the Archaean and Proterozoic era. Before that time, the Earth's atmosphere had a very different chemistry, unsuitable for life as we know it today.

In light of this atmospheric transformation historically I suggest we return to the original source of our atmosphere which were the cyanobacteria and stromatolites. The 21st century still sees these colonies in existence in Australia at Shark Bay in the Bahamas. It is suggested that experiments be conducted to examine this hypothesis and measure the amount of oxygen produced in living colonies first in laboratory settings and simultaneously in existing colonies. Extensive studies of existing colonies should be conducted prior to any formal experimentation and study. Preservation of existing colonies and their habitat need to be a first priority in the protocols and security for the project. It is suggested that foundation and governmental funding be utilized to examine the hypothesis and measure its outcomes.

Method - Methodological processes should begin with examination of existing colonies in Australia, Bahamas and elsewhere as discovered from research. Extensive non-intrusive studies should be conducted of current colonies to examine their current state of health, capacity for analysis and study, including in laboratory experiments as well as on-site enhancements of existing colonies with minimal disturbance of healthy existing living tissues.

Strict attention should be paid to scientific and safety methodologies regarding data collection , examination and site intrusion. Data should be examined in light of outcomes for larger scale projects.

Participants - Should include the universities in Australia, Great Britain and the United States who meet criteria for paleoclimatology, biology, microbiology, chemistry and additional criteria based on project need.

Procedure - Procedure should include scientific method, sensitivity to natural settings with special care to health of existing colonies their preservation, protection and enhancement.

Results - Results should be based on outcomes and metrics from the experiments conducted both in the laboratory and on-site. Results should be assessed in light of their capacity to add oxygen to the existing atmosphere and also in light of outcomes within multiple scenarios.

Discussion - This hypothesis is to be viewed only as a beginning point for this concept with others being capable of adding to the hypothesis and the experiments.

References