modest land use proposal for 6X & GHG by mark57g

Great example of a proposal covering all sections in the proposal template. I like the wide range of proposal ideas brought together in synergy. How do salt bricks work for building? Crumbly/soluble? C2C practice would eliminate most sewage and nitrate runoff that was mentioned. Is the 6X in the title a 'factor 6' resource efficiency aim? A helpful related proposal from last year, https://www.climatecolab.org/web/guest/plans/-/plans/contestId/4/planId/14612

I love the idea of rethinking our waterway structures. Right now it seems like most major waterways in North America serve as controlled energy generators that flow at ascending speeds straight out to sea. By developing stream meandering, ponds and water catchments off of our polluted, eroding rivers we can capture large amounts of nutrients (especially nitrogen), pollutants and topsoil that would otherwise be lost to sea. Surrounding these catchments with appropriate plant communities will be an important part of ensuring toxin removal, nutrient harvesting and soil stability. Annually dredging the mud from the bottoms of the catchments would create a valuable soil compost for use in agriculture, as has been practiced in China for thousands of years. Waterways can be used for so much more than dams.

I'm clueless on many of your ideas, but I think they sound viable, though I am unclear on the Colorado River aspects (crossing jurisdictions - not just countries, but states - with differing laws regarding access and use of the water may pose some big hurdles. I'm a regular follower of news on radiation from Fukushima and have to ask - do you have ideas on how to mitigate radiation on the ocean on the "agricultural" zones you propose? I can provide references on ocean contamination if you need.

henning-koch: I love "what if" questions. I have very similar wishes about certain "mega-projects" that I hear are created and promoted in the USA. Some people have the strange idea that billions of dollars ought to be spent on "terra-forming" Mars! I say, hey, let's terra-form Earth, and while we're at it, let's put the same passion into that as we would in a Mars expedition! Maybe there should be a "What if" X Prize. I think there is so much untapped creativity that needs to be highlighted. Mark Hurych

Awesome good on you (looking into rads) :) Now in Nicaragua, CR getting too expensive... my ag/forestry entry represents group I volunteer for now. The Nicaragua reforestation plan. I agree with you - boundaries are conventions - and they shouldn't matter in the case of extreme climate change.

Climate impact is largely a function of how much carbon stays in the ground on the planet. (We're at 400ppm CO2 right now in the atmosphere BTW.) My point in proposing this idea is not to start my own business venture. My point is that we're ALREADY experimenting with global ecological systems, at significant existential risk for humanity. As a thought experiment, suppose NASA started with projects like this intending to "terra-form" THIS planet and ensure its habitability for centuries to come. In that context, my project would be a SMALL one. Mitigating sea level rise around the world helps. (But only if similar projects are started soon world-wide.) While I absolutely agree that my idea's climate impact is not clear, our collective window of opportunity is not clearly delineated either. I consider 2010 to 2015 an appropriate time for humanity to jump at the chance to fix global system imbalances, since tipping points have not yet been reached. I think we are taking this opportunity for granted. I personally do not care whether this particular idea is used. I simply want humanity to act, facing potential doom, and say, "Not on my watch." My thinking is counter-intuitive to the "I-want-to-do-my-part" mentality. I believe that we, all humanity, collectively, have to act soon and in a big way. CTD cancer patients are routinely given pain meds and sent home to wait. That does not strike me personally as a solution.