We're already changing the applicable conditions. Not changing them is not an option at this point.
I understand there are always risks to sticking our fingers into something we don't understand well. But those risks have to be weighed against the risks of inaction, which seem in this situation to be quite substantial.
I suggested sodium hydroxide because adding sodium ions to the ocean is obviously benign. Seems to me the greatest risk from doing this is that the concentrated alkalinity will kill marine life before it disperses. I don't know whether that's a show-stopper.
I also haven't penciled out the numbers to see how much NaOH would be required, and how that compares to current world production. I have no idea whether this is practical. But I think we should be asking these kinds of questions.
I actually have some experience with this on a very small scale. To raise the pH of my 30 gallon reef tank, I add a tiny amount of a product that is mostly NaHCO and Na2CO3.
Still, it is complex and scary, and I have had better success by increasing flow and surface agitation for better oxygen exchange. Just like I would prefer to have less CO2 in our atmosphere.
I understand there are always risks to sticking our fingers into something we don't understand well. But those risks have to be weighed against the risks of inaction, which seem in this situation to be quite substantial.
I suggested sodium hydroxide because adding sodium ions to the ocean is obviously benign. Seems to me the greatest risk from doing this is that the concentrated alkalinity will kill marine life before it disperses. I don't know whether that's a show-stopper.
I also haven't penciled out the numbers to see how much NaOH would be required, and how that compares to current world production. I have no idea whether this is practical. But I think we should be asking these kinds of questions.