We reversed global warming temporarily in 1991. Let’s do it permanently!

I say “we reversed” global warming in 1991. It wasn’t really “we.” It was planet earth. Not the whole planet, but simply a volcano: Mount Pinatubo.

To explain, here is “The Mount Pinatubo story”:

  • Mount Pinatubo, a volcano in the Philippines, erupted in 1991, spreading dust over the earth.
  • In the following year, 1992, the rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere suddenly leveled out — but just for that for one year.
  • Scientists asked why and came up with this explanation: Mount Pinatubo’s dust clouds fertilized the oceans with iron-rich dust.
  • The iron dust caused vast regions of phytoplankton to grow in the ocean.
  • Like plants on land, these plants feed on carbon dioxide, and store it. That is, they take it out of the atmosphere!
  • This process — fertilizing several sections of the ocean with iron dust — was tested several times over the last 30 years. It caused great explosions of phytoplankton growth in most test areas.
  • Researchers say that by using this process, which nature has used for millions of years, humans can reduce carbon dioxide levels from 420 parts per million, where it is today, down to 300 ppm, where it was 100 years ago.
  • The process is called “Ocean Iron Fertilization.”
  • It could be completed by 2050, with the turnaround beginning by 2026, if we act immediately.
  • It would probably cost less than $1 billion per year.

The content in this article comes from articles by, conversations with, and a book written by Peter Fiekowsky, author of Climate Restoration: The Only Future That Will Sustain the Human Race.

He probably has the most knowledge about ocean iron fertilization on the planet!

Solving global warming is not simply a matter of reducing the carbon we put into the atmosphere. We must continue to reduce it.

But we must also intentionally remove the CO2 we emitted over the last 100 years, if we are to create a safe climate.

I hope this information lights a fire in you! Here’s what you can do. If you are:

  • President Joe Biden, act! As a famous president says, “C’mon, man!” That man is you! Stop fiddling while the planet burns! Start this — top priority — right now! I am not a scientist, but the evidence by scientists seems pretty sound. Look into it! Now!
  • Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., how about you? You are fresh in the Senate. Make a name for yourself in the history of the world! Look into this and act.
  • Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. Thanks for your years of service. Please get out of the way immediately, so Gov. Gavin Newsom can appoint somebody who will act on this. (Sorry for my citizen-bluntness. I am on fire!)
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom, we are a pretty big state — right on the coast! California has already declared its commitment to carbon restoration in state Senate Resolution 34. Why don’t we just take this on ourselves, if the rest of the country and world is too lazy, uninformed or benighted?
  • Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, what can you do about this? Help! We are on fire! 
  • You, the reader: Send this to your representatives. Tell them: Represent me! Do this! Figure it out! Talk to the scientists. Talk to other leaders! Check out the information. Act now!

Nero didn’t ask for permission to let Rome burn. He just did it! What about you?

Frank Sanitate is a Santa Barbara author of three books: Don’t Go to Work Unless It’s Fun, Beyond Organized Religion and Money - Vital Unasked Questions and the Critical Answers Everyone Needs. He was a monk and high school English teacher before starting a successful seminar business. Over his 40-year career, he presented seminars throughout the United States, Canada and Australia. He can be reached at franksanitate@gmail.com. The opinions expressed are his own.