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2027 timeline contents 2027 - The BRICs overtake the G7 nations| Tokyo and Nagoya are connected by high-speed maglev | Carbon sequestration is underway in many nations | Peak coal is reached in China | The Europa Clipper arrives in orbit
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2027 The BRICs
overtake the G7
Tokyo and Nagoya are connected by high-speed maglev
Carbon
sequestration is underway in many nations The most significant technology is "clean coal", being fitted to power plants. This is seeing widespread adoption, since it now costs less than unsequestered coal-based power generation.* The carbon dioxide is stored in geological formations deep underground (including some empty oil wells). Great care and precision must be taken in choosing these sites, however, as dumping the gas in an unstable location may cause it to leak back up to the surface or contaminate aquifers used for drinking supplies. Another method of carbon sequestration which is showing great potential is the deployment of "artificial trees". These are shaped like giant fly swatters around 10m high, and are becoming an increasingly common sight along roads, freeways and other polluted areas.* The trees capture CO2 through a filter - thousands of times more efficiently than real trees - which is then removed and stored.
Another geoengineering project involves strips of algae, fitted to the sides of buildings, which naturally absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. They are most common in high-density urban centres, where tall buildings offer a much greater surface area. These "photobioreactors" (as they are called) not only sequest carbon, but can also produce biofuel and biochar as beneficial side effects. The biofuel can be used to generate energy whilst keeping net carbon emissions to zero, while the biochar can be used as a very good fertiliser.* Yet another project is the addition of highly reflective panels on rooftops. These reflect sunlight back into space, reducing the amount of solar radiation being absorbed by the Earth. Although efficient, the geoengineering techniques described above (and various others) do not represent the ultimate solution to global warming. The only effective, long-term process for stabilising the climate is the adoption of solar, wind, hydro, nuclear and other renewable energy sources. Thankfully, most developed countries now have legally-binding commitments in place for reducing CO2 emissions and have begun large-scale practical measures. Britain, for example, has cut its carbon dioxide pollution by 50% compared to 1990 levels, thanks to legislation enacted in 2011.*
Peak coal is reached in China
The Europa Clipper arrives in orbit The Europa Clipper – launched by NASA in 2021 – intends to address this, paving the way for future missions to explore the surface.* After a six year journey, it reaches the Jovian system in 2027.* The probe carries an array of instruments including ice-penetrating radar, a topographical imager, magnetometer, infrared spectrometer, neutral mass spectrometer and a high-gain antenna. These are powered by solar, which is much cheaper than radioisotope generators, allowing the mission to stay within its $2 billion budget cap. The Clipper spacecraft performs dozens of flybys over 2.3 years, at times coming within just 15 miles (25 km) of the moon's frozen surface. Close-up images are returned in breathtaking detail and clarity, along with data confirming its crust thickness, as well as the saltiness and depth of its ocean. Together with information from ESA's JUICE mission,* this helps guide the development of future landers in the 2030s and 2040s.
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References 1 What's
called a 'global' recession is in fact shrinking economies mainly in the
West, not the East, Newsweek: 2 Japan Flashes Green Signal for Maglev Train Line, Environmental News Service: 3 Chūō Shinkansen, Wikipedia: 4 Coal
Utilization Research Council - EPRI Roadmap, Coal.org: 5 'Artificial
trees' to cut carbon, BBC: 6 Geo-engineering, Institution of Mechanical Engineers: 7 Britain
pledges to cut carbon pollution in half by 2025 (from 1990 levels), Climate Progress: 8 List of countries by coal production, Wikipedia: 9 Peak Coal and China, The Oil Drum: 10 Europa Clipper, Lightcurve Films: 11 NASA Eyes Mission to Jupiter Moon Europa, Space.com: 12 See 2030.
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