Most people now agree that global warming is real, but governments have proved incapable of halting it. So, scientists have taken matters into their own hands.
The Royal Society is conducting a study to review the possibility of saving the planet by ‘geoengineering’ – large-scale manipulation of the environment to modify Earth’s climate, such as blocking sunlight with mirrors or pumping sulphate particles into the air to simulate the effects of massive volcanic eruptions to lower temperatures.
Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society, asserted: “The scale of the challenge we face in avoiding the worst impacts of climate change means that we need to explore all ways of tackling it. There is inevitably interest in technologies that may be able to provide
a ‘fix’.”
One of the most commonly promoted ‘technofixes’ is carbon capture and storage (CCS), whereby CO2 is trapped and pumped into underground geological formations or the ocean. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said CCS “could play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions”, but the technology will not be ready for large-scale use until 2030 at the earliest.
However, Rees cautions: “None of these technologies will provide a ‘get out of jail free card’ and they must not divert attention away from international efforts to reduce emissions.”
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.