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Depletion Of The Arctic Poles Ozone Hole Essay

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most likely form of geoengineering to be implemented in the near future thus the unintended consequences need to be carefully examined.

Consequences of the manipulation of the earth 's atmosphere are widespread and in the case of sulfate aerosols somewhat unsettling. These consequences include an increase in acid rain production, changes in the amount and location of precipitation, delay in the recovery of the Artic and Antarctic ozone and rapid warming in the case where use of sulfate aerosols are abruptly ceased (Goldstein 2010). The most concerning of these is depletion of the Arctic poles ozone. Tilmes (2008, p.1201) explains that “An injection of sulphur large enough to compensate for surface warming caused by the doubling of atmospheric CO2 would strongly increase the extent of Arctic ozone depletion during the present century for cold winters and would cause a considerable delay, between 30 and 70 years in the expected recovery of the Antarctic ozone hole”.

A SRM technique that, so far poses fewer adversities would also see enhancement of the planet 's natural albedo. Collectively deserts, clouds and ice reflect approximately 30 per cent of the sun 's solar energy (NASA 1999). As about a quarter of the oceanic surface is covered with low-level, non-overlapping marine stratiform clouds, increasing their albedo would have a significant cooling effect and possibly assist with ocean temperatures. This promising geoengineering technique is Cloud Albedo Modification or
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