As I write this post, it is now minus five below in my hometown of Minneapolis; yet the topic of today’s post has absolutely nothing to do with such normal fluctuations in temperature. Let me further add that I do believe global climate change is a real issue and I am of the opinion that mankind is a serious contributor to the problem.
Why then do I believe that the public might soon be saying “goodbye” to the topic of global climate change? In a word: technology. I have written before about the huge potential for solar energy to become a larger part of the world’s overall energy equation, but I’d now like to introduce you to two new technologies that could fundamentally alter how we think about carbon dioxide emissions in the future.
The first is a relatively new “air extraction” technology being developed by Global Research Technologies that has been demonstrated to capture CO2 from the atmosphere. Intriguingly, it has been speculated that a system measuring 10 meters by 10 meters could extract 1,000 tons of CO2 every year.
To be sure, it would take millions of these devices to maintain a concentration of CO2 at pre-industrial levels, but if we can rationally talk about solar farms, is it not possible that we will soon also be able to talk about CO2-capture farms? If you “jump the curve” and follow the progression of technological development, I don’t see why not.
Secondly, scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are seeking to build a novel reactor that can chemically “reenergize” CO2. If successful, the technology would allow for CO2 to be reconverted into a range of different fuels, including hydrogen, methanol and gasoline.
This technology is still a few years away from commercial development, but my broader point is that, in spite of what the pessismists say, technology can and will play a big role in addressing the issue of global climate change. And when I look out to the future I see the issue going away—much as the issue of over-population (and concern over the depletion of food resources) has been rendered obsolete by advances in biotechnology and smarter agricultural practices.
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Jack Uldrich is a writer, futurist, public speaker and host of jumpthecurve.net. He is the author of seven books, including Jump the Curve and The Next Big Thing is Really Small: How Nanotechnology Will Change the Future of Your Business. He is also a frequent speaker on future technology and future trends, nanotechnology, innovation, change management and executive leadership to a variety of businesses, industries and non-profit organizations and trade associations.
