Comments on: Shell Revives Age Old Lime To Oceans Project In A Bid To Combat Global Warming

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:34:09 +0000

I think that unintended consequences should be guarded closely of course, but this is where the localized approach might be ideal. It is likely that the effects will be measurable in different spots and that if they turn out negative, other projects can be halted.
Of course oil companies have a lot to make up to the planet and have immediate interests which are colliding with common sense opinions about what ought to be done. Yet the oil companies are also in charge of massive infrastructure around the globe, so let’s not forget that. Oil companies might simply have the best tools to combat global warming in ways like this.
Thanks for the heads up Piers; that was a rather confusing sequence of lines. But you get it – the alcalinity in the seawater simply increases the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2.
Cherio,
Angelique
Regards,
Angelique

By: Ninsoo

Ninsoo — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:54:41 +0000

I’d be really skeptical of any oil company’s quick fix solution like this. In addition to unintended consequences, this seems like an excuse for the oil companies to keep on doing what they’ve always done without changing.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:52:08 +0000

Thanks Piers, seems to have been a typo or two

By: toto

toto — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:27:02 +0000

Yikes, I think we should study all we can but this sort of thing screams “unintended consequences”

By: Piers Fawkes

Piers Fawkes — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:58:37 +0000

Is this article badly written? For example.
“Adding limestone extracts to the surface of the planet’s oceans will dramatically lower the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere. This is because adding lime to seawater creates an increase in alkalinity, which in turn improves the water’s ability to scrub the air clean of carbon.”
It doesn’t make sense. First sentence suggests that the Lime stops all those power plants and cars from emitting CO2 gasses. Second sentence disproves first sentence. Writing like this gives greens a bad name.