What would happen if? you heatsink earth and space

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SUMMARY

This discussion explores the hypothetical scenario of using highly thermally conductive carbon structures to create heatsinks that connect Earth to space, aiming to mitigate climate change effects. Key concepts include entropy, radiative cooling, and blackbody radiation, which are essential to understanding the potential impacts of such a system. Participants agree that while the idea is intriguing, the practical implications of increased Earth temperatures could lead to evolutionary challenges for larger creatures due to heat dissipation issues. Overall, the consensus is that while the concept is innovative, the consequences of global warming are predominantly negative.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of entropy in thermodynamics
  • Knowledge of radiative cooling principles
  • Familiarity with blackbody radiation concepts
  • Basic grasp of climate change dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of entropy and its implications on climate systems
  • Learn about the mechanisms of radiative cooling and its applications
  • Explore the concept of blackbody radiation in environmental science
  • Investigate the evolutionary impacts of climate change on species size and adaptation
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for climate scientists, environmental engineers, evolutionary biologists, and anyone interested in innovative solutions to climate change challenges.

fredey
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It is a thought I just thought of with all the wonderful attention that climate change has been getting recently. The thought goes as follows:
The world has ever increasing entropy as the whole universe has so. With humans adding to this effect even if green house gases curbed due to this fundamental principle energy is always added to the system.
So you take the concept of space elevators and use highly thermally conductive carbon structures and heatsink Earth with space, I wonder, what effects this would have and at what scales this would have any effect.

P. S. If the Earth does heat up wouldn't that mean larger creatures would roam the Earth kind cool.
 
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Welcome to PF;
The heatsinks would have to be in a shadow or they would heat up from sunlight.
I think you need to look up "radiative cooling" and "blackbody radiation".

If the Earth did heat up and nothing else changed then there would probably be less reason for creatures to grow large ... very large creatures may have trouble dumping their excess heat. This would be an evolutionary time scale change though.
Generally the warming of the Earth is considered bad news as other things are expected to change as a result.
 

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