A Symposium on Ocean Iron Fertilization: Science and Policy Questions
OCCI Funded Project: 2007
Could
dumping iron in the ocean help to mitigate increasing atmospheric CO2? Scientists began to study that question in
earnest after John Martin’s famous quote “Give me half a ship load of iron...I
could give you an ice age”. Martin’s
comment, made more or less facetiously at a July 1988 WHOI Journal Club
lecture, was based upon the fact that ocean phytoplankton take up carbon
dioxide to grow, and that this growth can be stimulated in certain ocean basins
by the addition of iron, a necessary micronutrient that is common on land, but
often rare in the ocean. This knowledge
has led to the suggestion that we could intentionally change atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and climate, by adding iron to
the ocean, and there are now plans underway to do this on a large-scale,
commercial basis. However, there is
considerable uncertainty and disagreement as to whether we should move ahead
with ocean iron fertilization on large scales, or whether this would do more
harm than good.
We are planning a Symposium on September 26-27 on the topic of ocean
iron fertilization. We feel that this time is right to bring together
natural and social scientists, policy makers, and commercial interests
to inform each other, and the public, about this important topic. Our
goal is to present the state of the science and discuss remaining
uncertainties regarding the impacts and efficacy of ocean iron
fertilization and issues that arise with the commercialization of this
process. The format will include a select set of invited speakers and
panel discussions over the course of two full days at the Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institution. Participation will be limited to a small
number of invited guests, so we can maximize the chances for
interaction among the group.
With or without
good science, plans for commercial ocean iron fertilization are moving forward
rapidly, and this symposium is an opportunity to provide input to this process.