H2Orbit - Its About Sustainability

If we choose to do nothing about it, Earth's coral reefs will be dead in the next 100 years and that will devastate the food chain on this planet. There are not one but two huge 'temperature based' triggers poised to dump billions of tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. One holds 2/3rds the amount of CO2 already in the atmosphere. These things are occuring despite environmental agreements already in place around the world. Business around the globe have positioned classification criteria used in their decision process, to maximize shareholder value as they fuel economic growth, around hydrocarbon consumption. They are ignoring these issues. Why? Because people simply do not want to believe they are causing the damage that they are. It's called denial. Also, failure of the biosphere is a pretty traumatic thing to even contemplate much less fathom. The problem is systemic and vast in its scope and consequently cannot be boiled into a soundbite. That's part of what makes the entire concept of sustainability difficult to articulate. We ask the reader here to explore this section ('situation'); issues, and challenges areas before really diving into the recommended solution. If you do that and then explore the rest of this site - we are confident you will reach the same conclusions we have. The time you spend here is an investment in the future for us all. Spend it wisely.

Re-read that first sentence. Reflect on it for a minute. Then read it again. What just changed in your perspective? Ask yourself how subsequent generations will be affected.

Earth must have a sustainable biosphere to support life
Civilization requires energy and resources to support growth, freedom and improvements in standards of living

The two most important questions we must answer, and do so quickly, are; "How do we develop future energy needs in concert with the needs of our biosphere - recognizing that one cannot out weigh the other?" and "How quickly must we do so?".

The material presented by our organization refers often to Global Warming. Global warming is a specific instance of "climate change". So the effects of global warming are in affect effects of climate change. Know that it is systemic throughout our biosphere. When we need to we will endeavor to separate the issues for the sake of clairity in communications. The average person needs to simply understand that 'climate change' is the larger of the issues.

An overwhelming body of scientific evidence now clearly indicates that climate change is a serious and urgent issue. The Earth's climate is rapidly changing, mainly as a result of increases in greenhouse gases caused by human activities.

Most climate models show that a doubling of pre-industrial levels of greenhouse gases is very likely to commit the Earth to a rise of between 2 - 5 degrees centigrade in global mean temperature. This level of greenhouse gases will probably be reached between 2030 and 2060. A warming of 5 degrees centigrade on a global scale would be far outside the experience of human civilization and comparable to the difference between temperatures during the last ice age and today. Several new studies suggest up to a 20% chance that warming could be greater than 5 degrees centigrade.

If annual greenhouse gas emissions remained at the current level, concentrations would be more than triple pre-industrial revolution levels by 2100, committing the world to 3 - 10 degrees centigrade warming, based on the latest climate projections.

Some aspects of climate change itself may amplify warming further by triggering the release of additional greenhouse gases. This creates a real risk of even higher temperature changes.

Higher temperatures cause plants and soils to soak up less carbon from the atmosphere and cause permafrost thaw, potentially releasing large quantities of methane.
Analysis of warming events in the distant past indicates that such feedbacks could amplify warming by an additional 1 - 2 degrees centigrade by the end of the century.

Warming is very likely to intensify the water cycle, reinforcing existing patterns of water scarcity and abundance and increasing the risk of droughts and floods.

Rainfall is likely to increase at high latitudes, while regions with Mediterranean-like climates in both hemispheres will experience significant reductions in rainfall. Preliminary estimates suggest that the fraction of land area in extreme drought at any one time will increase from 1% to 30% by the end of this century. In other regions, warmer air and warmer oceans are likely to drive more intense storms, particularly hurricanes and typhoons.

As the world warms, the risk of abrupt and large-scale changes in the climate system will rise.

Changes in the distribution of heat around the world are likely to disrupt ocean and atmospheric circulations, leading to large and possibly abrupt shifts in regional weather patterns.
If the Greenland or West Antarctic Ice Sheets begin to melt irreversibly, the rate of sea level rise could more than double, committing the world to an eventual sea level rise of 5 - 12 meters over several centuries.

The body of evidence and growing quantitative assessment of risks are now sufficient to give clear and strong guidance to economists and policy-makers in shaping a response.

H2Orbit believes this situation, issues and challenges demand a strong integration of space-based initiatives like those outlined in our proposed solution if we are to mitigate these risks for future generations, indeed all life on Earth.

Some people say 'all this is cyclical' and has nothing to do with human activity. You need only look at the Keeling curve to see that's not the case. The preponderance of evidence is doing nothing but mounting in direction of supporting the premise of our proposed solution.

How much evidence do you need to see before you decide to do something about it? When we (collective we) finally do decide - will there be enough time left to affect the solution? We don't know but that's an aspect H2Orbit is attempting to tackle.

OK here's a simple thought experiment for us all. Our experiment has two scenarios labled 'cyclical' and 'not'. List whatever you want under both columns. Then lets ask the question what happens for each case; cyclical and 'not', if that particular scenario is wrong. That is to say that particular 'scenario' did not achieve its desired goal. In that case the particular scenario would have failed. What would it "cost us" in that case of failure? If the cyclical column is wrong - everything on Earth is dead. If the 'not' column is wrong, gee we cleaned up the planet and made it a better place to support life. We choose the 'not' column.

YouTUBE Video Articulating Exactly this Argument

WATCH THIS VIDEO

We need to sweep the controversy into appropriate places and recognize that every life in our biosphere hangs in the balance and act accordingly. The cost of failure is simply too high.

We've been worried for quite sometime now and H2Orbit is the result.

Please help. This situation requires collective action.

According to the World Bank, Coastal and Marine Management, some 50% of the world's population currently live within sixty kilometers of the coast. The world population is expected to exceed 6.8 billion people by 2008. That means 3.4 billion people will live in coastal areas. Half the population of Earth. Earth is a marine habitat.

Nations recognize the problem and have scientists working on the resolution but at current political funding levels, systems necessary to correct the problem won't begin to be tested until about 2050, after the majority of the reef systems are dead and fish populations worldwide are harmfully impacted. The ecosystem of the Earth is at risk.

Don't blame the politicians for this. This is an awareness problem across the population. Political constituencies simply are not aware of the problem, consequently they don't support their elected officials. We need to educate the public. This is a race. A race to see if we can save our biosphere. We can use Coral Reefs as our benchmark of success. Frogs may be another useful benchmark as we work to preserve habitat which in turn helps the CO2 situation.

How many times do you have to drive underneath a sign like this warning you of air quality to begin wondering what you can do about the problem?

Three countries plan to build nearly 850 new coal-fired plants pumping up to five times as much CO2 into the atmosphere as Kyoto countries aim to reduce. By 2012, new coal plants in the US, China and India are expected to emit as much as 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide while Kyoto countries will have cut their emissions by (only) 483 million tons. If the current projection of new coal plants are online by 2012, the sacrifices of the Kyoto countries will be rendered practically meaningless.

Al Gore even has a movie (and web site) out called "an inconvenient truth" on the topic of climate change and global warming. We commend the spirit of the message in the film and its efforts to increase awareness on how human activity impacts our biosphere. There are many tempting terrestrial solutions however each must be carefully holistically considered as we increase our knowledge and execute our solution. Think about all of this, but remember - while you're thinking, reefs are dying and habitat is being destroyed. Our opportunity to resolve the situation slips a bit further from our grasp every second someone thinks and takes no action.

We can save the reefs, indeed the ecosystem, by going to space. We recognize that's a rather large conclusion to make, especially if you've never thought about any of this before. Read on and we think you'll draw the same conclusion. In any event don't misunderstand the message. This is about saving the biosphere. If you will allow the metaphor: coral reefs represent the "canary in the mine". (miners used to use them as gas detectors. if the canary died they left the mine.) Our 'canary' (the reefs) are dieing, but we have nowhere to run to. Not solving the problem will have dire consequences. Coral Reefs have incredible biodiversity unique on our planet and it has connections and implications we are only now beginning to understand these habitats. Coral reefs have value in their own right, well beyond 'being our canary'. We cannot allow them to be destroyed. We would be hurting ourselves if we did. We must be aware of all the various reef issues.

The big deal is that, as of mid-2006, current course and speed - Earth's Biosphere will not last another 100 years. We believe that ALL life will be impacted. The evidence is mounting and H2Orbit refuses to stick its proverbial head in the sand and do nothing.
Paradigms are not easily changed and H2Orbit recognizes those difficulties.
We believe the proposed path is the only one that will lead to a sustainable biosphere. Today we are not on that path. We seek to change that. The implications for that are growing ever more clear and the cost of failure is dire for all life on this planet. Which path do you want to be on?
The solutions, by necessity, must be implemented by capable nations. That issue alone presents unprecedented challenges to peoples of all nations. We hope to bring peoples together. These actions will require people to bond across all barriers, if we are to succeed. No - no other organization on Earth is like H2Orbit.
H2Orbit believes that the solutions need to be implemented with a multi-lateral, multi-national approach. We will further declare that any nationalistic focused program is doomed to fail before it starts, because it ignores the systemic nature of the problem. These solutions must therefore; as a consequence of how the problems manifest themselves, be implemented globally, by and for the benefit of all nations, peoples, indeed life on our planet. This means managing specific tasks across all boundaries. And that requires some tricky management, political astuteness and situational awareness. (e.g. don't put your head in the sand)
Because key issues must be solved globally and because they are inextricably intertwined many if not most must be solved in parallel with one another. This most likely means an increased role for the United Nations. Especially in areas of humanitarian assistance and education.
H2Orbit is focused not necessarily on the 'what' but the 'why' and 'how'. There is only one 'who' and its us, so go look in the mirror. The scope of our efforts is global and spans national, cultural, ideological, religious, and age boundaries. Indeed they even span species. Just as the air we all breath does.
H2Orbit -- It's about sustainability.

We don't think so and these problems will take us all to solve them.
We strive to be strategically focused and tactically oriented. What that means is knowing what we have to accomplish and helping to determine how to get there. This organization is about communicating awareness to facilitate action on a massive scale. We need all the help we can get.
H2Orbit isn't just pushing the "space" button. We are trying to show the "hows" and "whys". That these things, not just can, but will solve terrestrial problems if acted upon.
H2Orbit passionately believes in the spirit of mankind. That spark of persistant perseverance will lead us to a bright future.
Our observation has been that most groups and organizations are compartmentalized below the threshold necessary to solve the problems. This is NOT necessarily a bad thing because everyone can't be everything to all people. Neither can H2Orbit. H2Orbit is like the glue that brings focus and unity to those divergent efforts. Every one of those efforts is a piece of the puzzle we are tying to solve. We need them all. All are intrinsic to the solution, as you will see, as you explore this site - there are no silver bullets.
We think, and have been told, that H2Orbit is unique in its focus. We believe that the solution to maintain a sustainable biosphere is space, for a variety of reasons. Obviously, we assert that can be done. H2Orbit seeks to help people understand how they can fit into the solution and not be part of the problem. We hope H2Orbit is NOT unique in this regard - that means A) we're not alone in our opinion, B) we have help, C) we'll partner with them to reduce duplication and D) it increases the chances of success.

What is taking so long if the problem is recognized?

Individuals recognize the problem, society does not. Resolutions are not perceived with a holistic sense of the problems.
Most believe that technologies necessary to provide energy are science fiction, rather than the early stages of viable engineering that emerged in the 1970's. A pioneer in this area was Gerard K. O'Neil.

Shifting fuels to hydrogen will solve the problem right? After all burning hydrogen in oxygen all you get is water. Right?

Earth's atmosphere is comprised of 'air' not just oxygen. Consequently even burning hydrogen to produce energy and drive transportation results in chemical compounds that pollute. The internal combustion temperatures cause Nitrogen to combine with hydrogen and oxygen to produce smog and other pollutants. Gas turbine engines as well as jet engines, often cited as easily converted to hydrogen, if not properly configured, will also create these same pollutants.
Hydrogen as a clean (green) fuel is only true when used in fuel cell technology. Automotive companies around the world are working on these technologies and you've probably seen examples in media coverage. This is a huge step in the right direction. The challenge here is distribution infrastructure. It will take about 30 years to implement an effective infrastructure to support automotive travel as we know it today. When we take this step it will help by correcting about 25% of the problem. OK - now what about the other 75%...
Producing hydrogen from hydrocarbon based fuels doesn't solve the fundamental problem as it releases greenhouse gases.

Wrong - dependence on petroleum is not the "real" issue. The issue is eliminating the results of burning hydrocarbons. All hydrocarbons. Read that as anything that dumps greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
While Bio-fuels don't contribute a >> net << increase in greenhouse gases, because their carbon was recently extracted from atmospheric CO2 - they also don't solve the long term problem of too much CO2 in the atmosphere. Consequently they can be viewed only as a partial solution to the existing problem, in that they cease contributing to the overall problems. They only maintain status quo. We need the status quo to drop and improve. Bio-fuels don't do that.
H2Orbit believes that the entire discussion on 'fuels' inappropriately focuses the issues onto transportation. Even if we solved ALL the transportation issues that only corrects some 25% of the overall problem.

No they aren't. Hybrid automobiles continue to consume hydrocarbon fuel, consequently they only perpetuate the oil paradigm. Consumers need to demand fuel cell based vehicles from manufacturers.
Remember, the coral reefs are not just dying, some 8-15% of them are already dead.
Climate change is happening and we are causing it.
The ocean is rising from ice melt.
If we can put fuel cells efficient enough to power the Space Shuttle, which by the way also produce drinkable water for the crews consumption, we can darn sure put them in automobiles.
The "we need more research" excuse is hogwash. Just get it done. Consumers need to demand green technologies NOW!

Global warming has much broader implications than just the weather.
Weather intensity issues are key concerns and major factors to be considered. They are however only a piece of the overall puzzle.
Coral reefs are being killed at astonishing rates due to many factors.
Estimates now project commercial fish populations to be wiped out by 2048
Some bear populations in Northern Spain have stopped hibernating
Whole species of frogs are going extinct at rapid rates. Some 120 are already gone.
Permafrost is thawing releasing methane and CO2 five times faster than previously estimated.
Ocean acidity is increasing affecting everything in hydrospace.
As weather patterns change it changes crops around the world. That affects how food is grown. That in turn will affect whole populations.
As the water columns warm there are large gas formations, gas hydrates, being held in deposits under the sea by cold temperatures. If released they will make a bad situation catastrophic.
Farming techniques around major rivers of the world find nitrogen rich compounds being flushed through their deltas into the oceans creating huge 'dead zones'. That in turn creates large algae blooms that soon die out. The decaying algae consumes all the oxygen out of the water. Vast regions of these areas no longer have enough oxygen to support life during the year.

The situation is such that there are many problems and global warming is a central manifestation of the problems driving the urgency. We must act, together to solve this. All of us.

Current estimates report that 20% of coral reefs around the world have already been destroyed. The coral reef situation is an issue that mankind must deal with and recognize as a problem linked to Climate Change (e.g. Global Warming) via the ocean acidification process caused by atmospheric carbon dioxide absorption into the worlds oceans and seas.
As commercial fish populations dwindle toward extinction increased pressure on food sources for an increasing world population increases. Farm productivity is forced to improve, most likely using techniques that are fueling the dead zones in river delta's around the globe. In this scenario - energy - plays an increasingly important role in being able to mitigate associated risks and an ability to implement realistic solutions. >> IF << that energy is green it will aide the biosphere. If it's not it only adds to the problem.
The Gulf of Mexico has large regions that are hypoxic and do not support life during the year. These dead zones have been increasing since the middle 70's.
All of the solutions being considered require 20-30 years to implement much less begin to reap the benefits from them. Estimates are that it would take another 10-15 years beyond implementation to 'feel the effect'. That means that even if we start now - we still might fail. We are truly in a race to save the ecosystem and we have a benchmark to gauge success, Earth's reef systems.
Vast amounts of greenhouse gas is bound up in gas hydrates in reserves under the ocean. These reserves are held by relatively cold waters. Once the water warms they will be released, making a bad situation catastrophic.
Permafrost across Alaska, Canada and Siberia is another major concern. An article recently in the Journal Nature indicates that CO2 is emerging from the Permafrost ices FIVE times faster than earlier estimated. An amount of CO2 equal to 2/3rds of the amount already in the atmosphere is bound up in those ices. As the temperature rises - it gets released.
Some 120 entire species of frogs have become extinct in the last several decades and those are just the ones we know about.

These and other issues conspire together to create a timeline we cannot ignore.

Corporations or governments will solve this problem. Why should " I " or other individuals need work on this problem?

Because there is much you can do right now all by yourself. Go plant something, for example. Plants are part of Earth's carbon cycle and will improve our situation.
Support small farmers everywhere. They support the economy, provide food, and create potential bio-fuels. Willie Nelson, yes the song writer, singer, actor extraordinaire, has created and is selling biofuels.
Democratic government, at all levels, represent their constituents. Support freedom around the world. Free peoples can help resolve the problem. Free peoples must engage their government representatives with enlightened concerns that result in enforced laws to protect the Earth. Engage your local political process. Help educate people and work to establish 'green' laws, policies and practices for your local area.
Avarice of investors drives many if not most, indeed maybe all, business in a 'free marketplace'. Some few like 'Newman's Own', leverage the business proposition to benefit charity. What would happen if every business behaved that way?? Make consumer choices.
Because corporations tend to protect existing structures and profit centers they are not likely to shift away from something that makes them money today. If they don't' get it - help them understand. Pick a public company and buy a few shares of stock. Communicate back to their shareholder relations group your expectations as a shareholder.
Long term problems have a tendency to de-sensitize people so they don't take corrective action until it is too late. There is a huge opportunity here to help keep the message alive. Communications is key. Help deliver the message. Ask people to read this web site.
This problem is huge but we can solve it, so don't lose hope. Action spreads hope. Hope breeds confidence and confidence drives action and innovation. Help people understand that solving this requires action.
This is the first problem faced by humanity requiring a multigenerational approach. Get your kids involved. Kids, get your parents involved. 100 years is a long time, but a millennia from now our progeny will remember it.
The problem is ecological in impact, global in scope. It spans national, ideology and cultural boundaries. No social class or condition will be unaffected.

Therefore we believe that the future is in the hands of individuals, who collectively must take action. We ask you to reflect on our observations listed at the bottom of the home page. Then come back and read the rest of this page. We can allow rhetoric distract our attention or we can focus on solving the problem. Entrenched positions are formidable, but must be engaged and they must help with the solution. We must expect, indeed demand; that our leaders and legistlators, be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Individuals must get government representatives to take action. Individuals must engage business leaders and key influencers. Individual consumers must demand a shift or band together to make the shift happen in spite of business. Together individuals can create new markets. Business and government will follow to serve. Individuals will need to engage family, friends, and neighbors. Individuals will need to participate in their community affairs. Individual people are going to solve this problem. Not the proverbial "they". To quote Pogo; "We have met the enemy and they are us."

So tell a million of your closest friends about this web-site.

Ask them to become familiar with the situation, issues, challenges and potential solutions. Then as they think about what's next; they too can help think about how best to cross the bridge to the future. Review the programs, consider how to participate. Encourage partnerships and keep up with the news & surveys. Humanity's vantage points will be constantly changing as we (collective we) learn and implement elements supporting the strategic vision of a healthy biosphere. Explorers, adventurers and regular people of all ages need to know what they can do. As you review this site we are sure you will want to know more and our reference library can help provide a good start.

Sign the guestbook. Business owners wanting to help people understand all of these issues are encouraged to: a) sign the guestbook and b) add a link back to your business. Inappropriate materials will be deleted. We hope you will decide to place a link on your site back to this site. You need not contact us.

We cannot afford to wait decades to start working on this. We need to step up to the challenges and face the music now. Our contention is we need to increase pressure everywhere necessary now, before, not after, the food chain has been devastated. Read that as, today; right now. If you are reading this - do something. Anything, but do it. We must act not piece meal or half-heartedly. We need to move powerfully and decisively if we are to protect the future and humanity's place in it. Act.

We believe that humanity has a window of opportunity placed before it. Any solution will require decades of work before any significant results will manifest themselves. That means we must start now if the results are to make any difference. It also means that whatever we do - it can't be the wrong course of action. We must exercise some vision, faith, and common sense.

H2Orbit chooses to believe in the fundamental character of humanity. That people who understand the gravity of this situation will grasp the concepts, precepts and take the necessary action to help us all go forward. That people once they understand will embrace what needs to be done. It is encumbant on us all to help others become aware, understand, so they too may join in to help solve the problems and build a better future for all life on our planet.

We part this section with a few quotes and our mission:

“The great obstacle to progress is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.” - Daniel Boorstein
“We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used when we created the problems.” - Albert Einstein
“The dogmas of the quiet past will not work in the turbulent future. As our cause is new, so must we think and act anew.” - Abraham Lincoln
"There is nothing to fear, but fear itself" - Franklin D. Roosevelt

H2Orbit was created to help facilitate individuals engage across the spectrum of society. Going to space can facilitate resolution of these problems and help establish a sustainable biosphere. Therefore we are dedicated to promoting the high frontier to improve ecological, economic and social conditions. Having said that there are many terrestrial activities needing to be done as well. The web site is dedicated to them all.

NOTE: Our founder wrote a strategic proposal and submitted it to the administration of the United States government in 2006. The text of that proposal has been published for your reference as: "One Pilgrim's Wish for Earth". We think this strategic vision and plan will solve the current crisis being caused by Climate Change. Only political will of the constituencies stand in the way of success.