Scientist sets sights on UAE to save planet

Dubai: A scientist from Australia has a theory to save the planet from global warming by making the ocean bloom with microscopic plants that can absorb carbon dioxide.

He has set his sights on the UAE as a base for his project.

Phytoplankton, tiny plants that live in the sea for fish to feed on, could be the answer to global warming according to Professor Ian Jones, an ocean engineer from the University of Sydney.

His theory was recently the focus of a television documentary series on the BBC called Five Ways to Save the World.

By adding urea granules, a solid form of nitrogen, to parts of the ocean that have a nutrient deficit, phytoplankton will bloom and act like trees, Jones told Gulf News during a recent visit to the UAE.

The Minister of Environment and Water, Mohammad Saeed Al Kindi, appreciates the idea and said he would be willing to meet with Jones on his next visit to Dubai.

"I think this is a good idea and anything that can be done to benefit one and all, while creating a way to reduce what is happening on the planet is welcomed," said Al Kindi.

Tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) could be absorbed every year once the number of these minuscule plants is increased by being 'fed' urea, eventually reversing the effects of global warming.

"Dubai is a good place to set up a factory to pump urea offshore but the Arabian Gulf itself lacks currents so we are looking at feeding the phytoplankton off the coast of Oman," said Jones.

"A pipe would carry the urea 50km offshore because phytoplankton is usually quite common around the coast so the factory is on the coast but the urea is released further away," said Jones.

One thousand tonnes of urea could capture 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, said Jones.

He said the investment for a plant stands at $250 million, a quarter of the price of a power station.

"We're using the pollution from one problem -fossil fuels and redirecting it to feed phytoplankton and finally trap the CO2," he said. Once phytoplankton captures CO2 and eventually dies it sinks to the bottom of the ocean.

Extra plankton in the ocean would also benefit certain populations by providing a food source to countries heavily dependent on fish for their livelihood and nourishment.

Nutrient helps sea turn green
In 1995 Ocean Nourishment was already being tried and tested by US researchers who poured half a tonne of iron, a vital nutrient for the survival of phytoplankton, in an area 400km south of the Galapagos Islands where there is hardly any plankton.

It worked and the sea turned green. The scientists claim that the newly fertilised phytoplankton had absorbed an additional 7,000 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of 2,000 fully grown trees.

Biography

Professor Ian Jones is director of the University of Sydney's Ocean Technology Group. In 2005 Jones, who has a PhD, was appointed to the Engineering Committee on Oceanic Resource Council. ECOR, a member of the International Council for Science (ICSU), supports expert panels and working groups that look into issues affecting the oceans.
His ocean nourishment ideas have attracted publicity in mainstream media across the world.

Have your say
Do you really believe mankind can curb/stop climate change? Or is it just a natural progression in the evolutionary process? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form below to send your comments.

"Turning the sea green" and causing a bloom of phytoplankton and algae in an area that previously had none is not the answer. This will cause a disruption of the normal ecosystem. The UAE needs to clean up its beaches and trash in the cities and deserts first. And also cut back on emissions and smog....and plant more trees if it wants to "go green".
CC
dubai,uae

Sounds a little too good to be true. Messing around with the ecosystem is tricky, who knows what we might be in for. Hopefully whatever it is won't be worse than global warming.
Tuaha
Karachi,Pakistan

I belive in the fact that everything is possible on this earth. If mankind is responsible for change in climate conditions and Global Warming, then mankind can also control it and find solution to it which can be done after great deal of investments in research and development to protect the planet.
Adeel
Dubai,UAE

I think that it is a great idea. We should do all we can to help our planet.
Kat
Munich,Germany

We must not see this as a choice to do something for global warming, but as an opportunity to give back what we have taken. After all our children are our biggest asset!
W H
Dubai,UAE

I am studying an LLM in Environmental law- and I have to be sceptical of such theories. Sure such theories do sound positive, but we have to be sceptical with the motives. We must change the way we live our lives, we must live in a manner that is more energy efficient. I have learnt that the effects of our actions today will only truly affect us years from now. Although I am an optimist, we as humans should be prepared for the worst. Perhaps- we in Dubai who live lavish lifestyles and waste a lot of energy should lead the way. We must lead by example- give up the SUV's for more energy efficient vehicles; make more use of public transportation. We must also encourage the use of sustainable development and ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account prior to any new development. Global warming is a sickness - we need to find a permanent cure for and the key is changing ourselves. The use of phytoplankton will merely prolong an inevitable outcome provided we don't change anything ourselves.
Akshay
Newcastle Upon Tyne/Dubai,UK/UAE

Humans cannot stop climate change but we can stop contributing to it. Resolve root cause rather than symptoms. Use more renewables. Penalise countries that use excessive CO2 producing energies.
Kevin
Miri,Malaysia