Planetary engineering
Planetary engineering is the application of technology for the purpose of influencing the global properties of a planet.[1] The goal of this theoretical task is usually to make other worlds habitable for life.
Perhaps the best-known type of planetary engineering is terraforming, by which a planet's surface conditions are altered to be more like those of Earth. Other types of planetary engineering include ecopoiesis, the introduction of an ecology to a lifeless environment. Planetary engineering is largely the realm of science fiction at present, although recent climate change on Earth suggests that humans can cause change on a global scale.
Terraforming
Terraforming is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying the atmosphere, temperature, or ecology of a planet, moon, or other body to be similar to those of Earth in order to make it habitable by humans.
Geoengineering
Geoengineering is the application of planetary engineering techniques to Earth. Recent geoengineering proposals have principally been methods to tackle human-induced climate change by either removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (e.g. using ocean iron fertilization) or by managing solar radiation (e.g. by using mirrors in space) in order to negate the net warming effect of climate change.[2] Future geoengineering projects may preserve the habitability of Earth through the sun's life cycle by moving the Earth to keep it constantly within the habitable zone.[3]
See also
- Astronomical engineering
- Macro-engineering
- Megascale engineering
- Virgin Earth Challenge
- Dyson sphere
References
- ↑ Fogg, Martyn J. (1995). Terraforming: Engineering Planetary Environments. Warrendale, PA: SAE International.
- ↑ Geoengineering the Climate: Science, Governance, and Uncertainty. London: The Royal Society. 2009. ISBN 978-0-85403-773-5.
- ↑ "",Moving the Earth out of harm's way.
Further reading
- Angelo, Jr, Joseph A. (2006). "Planetary engineering". Encyclopedia of space and astronomy. New York, NY: Facts On File. pp. 462–462. ISBN 9781438110189.
- Sagan, Carl (1973). "Planetary engineering on Mars". Icarus 20: 513–514. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(73)90026-2. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
External links
- Geoengineering: A Climate Change Manhattan Project Stanford Envtl. Law Journal
- Geoengineering Retrospective - Overview of articles on geoengineering from the sustainability site Worldchanging
- 5 ways to save the earth; documentairy about geo-engineering
- ClimateShield - Lifeboat Foundation ClimateShield
- Climate Engineering Is Doable, as Long as We Never Stop - Wired
- Keith, David (2007). "Geo-engineering to slow global warming" (Video). TED. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
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