MEER Update 2023

Join the Climate Emergency Forum as it welcomes back Dr. Ye Tao, founder of the MEER project, to get an update of its activities and progress in 2023. The dialog reveals MEER's mission, progress, challenges, and its broader impact on communities and scientific education.
This video was recorded on December 4th, 2023 at COP28, and published on January 3rd, 2024, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.
MEER, which stands for Mirrors for Earth’s Energy Rebalance, aligns with Dr. James Hansen's recent paper on Global Warming in the Pipeline and seeks to provide a way of addressing the problem.
Dr. Tao explains his motivation for starting the MEER project, emphasizing the urgency of tackling climate issues. He highlights the potential impact of legacy greenhouse gases and the need for solutions. The discussion touches on the Faustian bargain of aerosols and their role in temperature rise. Dr. Tao shares insights from experiments in Sierra Leone, where rooftop mirrors have demonstrated significant cooling effects on buildings, positively impacting residents' lives.
The conversation extends to challenges faced during MEER experiments, such as the need for high-quality data and community engagement. Dr. Tao emphasizes the importance of educating the community, involving children in workshops, and providing them with opportunities to learn about science and technology.
Furthermore, Dr. Tao introduces a related project aimed at addressing water safety issues, inspired by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He describes a device that utilizes sunlight to heat water, reaching sterilization temperatures and offering a potential solution for regions lacking access to clean drinking water.
Dr. Tao concludes by sharing his vision for worker-owned enterprises, incorporating artistic expression, and generating revenue to support basic needs such as clean water, food, and education in vulnerable communities.
Note: Photos shown at 19:54, 20:41 and 23:14 were taken in India.
Links:
- MEER: Cooling Earth by Reflecting Sunlight
www.meer.org/
- MEER Update - November 2022 (CEF Video)
• MEER Update - November...
- Global Warming in the Pipeline and Earth's Energy Imbalance (CEF Video)
• Global Warming in the ...
- Mirrors for Earth’s Energy Rebalancing (MEER:refEction) | Dr. Ye Tao | 2019NSSUS (KZbin Video)
• Mirrors for Earth’s En...
- What geoengineering is worth trying? (KZbin Video)
• What geoengineering is...
- How extreme heat affects human health: A research roundup
journalistsresource.org/home/...
Special Guest:
Dr. Ye Tao - founded MEER, Mirrors for Earth’s Energy Rebalancing, in 2020 after grasping the accelerating and ultimate consequences of the climate crisis on Earth’s delicate web of life. Educated as a nanotechnologist and instrumentation expert, he brings the benefits of a multidisciplinary background in engineering and science to problem solving.
Program Host and Video Co-producer:
Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader
Video Production:
Heidi Brault - Video production and website assistant, Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP28 team lead for the Climate Emergency Forum and COP Team organizer for Facing Future; BA (Psychology); Climate Reality Leader
Our Website:
climateemergencyforum.org/
Acknowledgement:
We'd like to acknowledge these two organizations without which our attendance at COP28 would not have been possible.
- Sustainable Population Australia (SPA)
- The International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE)
Attributions:
Background Music:
- Title: Through the City II
- Author: Crowander
- Source: Free Music Archive
- License: CC BY-NC 4.0
Image and Video: climateemergencyforum.org/ass...
#cop28 #mirrors #reflectors

[@GaryHudsonsMusic]

Thank you, Dr. Tao, for crediting Dr. Guy McPherson!

[@LivingNow678]

Guy said 2026/27 as mass extinction event, but on the last year he says: in a really short time 2024, for the moment, we keep going 😊

[@nancyjeanpenland4140]

Thank you Dr. Tao for thanking and mentioning Dr. Guy McPherson

[@everythingmatters6308]

Nice to hear him speaking well of Guy.

[@christill]

Listening to Prof. Tao and hearing about / seeing his work in Freetown is one of the few things giving me hope for the future. Awesome guy and a great project. Everyone who can should donate now.

[@BombusMonticola]

Well done Dr. Tao. Clearly a superb ambassador for science. Someday maybe survival will be our thanks.

[@FacingFuture]

Ye - it's wonderful to witness your compassion and brilliant inventiveness. Great work! Onward!

[@BombusMonticola]

So Glad Guy gets some credit too. Bravo!!!

[@Patrick_Ross]

I haven’t followed McPherson since he came out with his batshit crazy predictions a couple of years ago. Any idea if he’s issued any retractions?

[@obsoleteoptics]

​@@Patrick_Ross1. He's been talking about near-term human extinction for at least a decade. 2. Yes, and every time he issues a retraction, he is quite happy to do so; he has often said he would love to be proven wrong, but that would also mean proving wrong the primary researchers he cites.

[@yetao5801]

First step to great science and engineering is good intuition. Dr Guy McPherson most certainly got the qualitative trends of the problem right. A factor 2 difference in time-line we physicists regard as a fudge factor.

[@OHexpat12]

Like Teo, I have woken up to climate science from the qualitative work of Prof Dr Guy McPherson. I also used to teach nanotechnology students, so this effort is exceptionally useful. I’d love to send funds

[@christill]

Very easy to donate on the MEER website.

[@LivingNow678]

Before it's too late ? 😲🌹🎶💫🌎

[@BombusMonticola]

What a fantastic hat. Yes everyone should wear a reflective hat as a nod to meer.

[@JonathanLoganPDX]

Where do we find one?

[@BombusMonticola]

​@@JonathanLoganPDX I suppose we could attempt to make one. Probably not that tricky ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠⊙⁠_⁠ʖ⁠⊙⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[@Patrick_Ross]

Just make sure it doesn’t resemble the typical tinfoil hats worn by conspiracy theorists.😁

[@brijeshverma9]

Dr. Tao, you are really too honest to talk and appreciate Prof. Guy McPherson. You have a clear vision. Regards

[@LivingNow678]

They are looking for billionaires 🤔😲🙂 (but billionaires are looking for bunkers 😭)

[@karensavageau4622]

Thank you Dr. Tao for mentioning Prof. McPherson

[@patricklincoln5942]

I laugh at his mentioning of Guy McPherson when he says that more and more of Guy McPherson's predictions are coming true. He keeps on thinking humans will be extinct at deadlines that are already in the past! The scientific communities rejection of McPherson is reasonable and I don't understand why a decent engineer like Tao hasn't caught on to that.

[@LivingNow678]

@@patricklincoln5942 Life is full of paradoxes 🤔😲🙂

[@vthilton]

Save Our Planet Now

[@LivingNow678]

They already save it yesterday 🤔😲🙂

[@sharonhall1909]

Dr. Tao is my hero.

[@bouchoswatz]

you are truly a boddhisatva, I’ve been following your project for several years and I am so impressed how well it is coming along and already bringing so much benefit to people 🙏

[@GregoryJWalters]

Super Interview, and Chapeau to MEER Team! What truly Remarkable and Important work you are doing in science, technology, health, economic, social and artistic areas. Thanks to all!

[@heidibrault1313]

Thank you so much for your suppport.

[@mullerskuh214]

ye tao is a legend. thank you!

[@heidibrault1313]

Thank you so much for your support.

[@juliotoru]

OH GEE, I've been aware of this project through PhD Guy McPherson for YEARS. Welcome to the passed.

[@caimacd]

Very interesting. I've been interested in this subject broadly for ages. I always wondered about the potential of massive scale projects interfering with specific harmful weather patterns. Specifically heat coming off deserts.

[@TennesseeJed]

It is cool he is giving Guy McPherson kudos. Must be trying to cool the troposphere in multiple ways😂

[@LivingNow678]

Scientific predictions or fantasy ? 🤔😲🙂

[@Silks-]

Gonna take a whole lot of reflective surfaces to break even with the rapidly increasing loss of (reflective) ice sheets. Nevertheless, it could marginally delay our demise so hats off to Dr.Tao (hehe), if nothing else offers hope to some at least.

[@ppetal1]

To many. And a cool hat.

[@ClimateEmergencyForum]

Photos shown at 19:54, 20:41, and 23:14 were taken in India.

[@caimacd]

This guy is cool 😊 keep up the good work, brother!

[@chelseashurmantine8153]

Cool!

[@adrianmacfhearraigh4677]

Thank you for this update on MEER and an introduction to the other innovations being developed. A further query on the MEER project. With the clear cooling performance from the roof top reflectance at ground level indicating energy is being reflected, is there any concern with this reflected energy, which includes infrared radiation(heat), contributing to more heat absorption in the atmosphere which is itself being constituently modified on an ongoing basis for years now by our emissions of particles that are excited into higher vibrations by such heat absorption leading to an increased temperature of the atmosphere that will radiate more heat i.e. a heat feedback process, if it doesn't have another pathway to transfer this heat to a cooler temperature zone in order to reduce the inherent temperature of the atmosphere? The work Dr. Tao is doing is great and fully support the social justice and ethical aspect of the projects but although there is clear benefit at a human ground level, could the diversion of this energy through reflectance have influences or consequences by other unconsidered pathways and should there be awareness of these? Is there thought being given to performing this research in association with trees which are well known for creating cooling at ground level. Trees are also sources for food, biodiversity and have other benefits if they're cared for properly. Trees are also not immune to heat stress. MEER in such circumstances could benefit trees to assist with cooling the environment around them to enable them to continue they're cooling service. Good luck with your ongoing work. Thanks again.

[@remodeledcatidea5324]

I would put mirrors glued on to the roof , BUT i.m in florida and a high wind might blow them off and cause collateral damage.

[@RajendraTayya-rh9mk]

We need the human element for Earth to rebalance. Prevention is better than cure.

[@leviahimsa]

Animal agriculture is the leading cause of deforestation, habitat destruction, water pollution, ocean dead zones and *species extinction* . -United Nations Animal agriculture uses 83% of global farmland and only provides 18% of global calories. When we switch to a plant based food system, we can restore/reforest 76% of global farmland AND be able to feed all humans. -journal Science

[@chrisdecrease4414]

Why don’t you pay kids and families a small amount to be protectors of the sensor devices?

[@remodeledcatidea5324]

how about giving a federal tax discount of 100% of the cost to paint house roof white. How many millions of houses will partake of it. Equaling how many square miles of reflection.

[@Battery-kf4vu]

Would it be possible to use MEER to cool down the tropical forest, which would help them survive droughts and absorb more carbon? Tropical forests are fragmented due to deforestation, so the mirrors could be installed in the areas that have been cut. That would cool the whole forest. Reforestation of those areas could be done at the same time. We could do in sort that the trunks grow between the mirrors, by planting the seedings between them. The shade would help the seedlings survive, which is important because usually most seedlings die because of heat. When the trees have grown enough the mirrors can be removed and reused somewhere else.

[@yetao5801]

Most likely yes. We have also proposed to cover fire breaks with mirrors to increase soil moisture and decrease fuel accumulation rate. The hurdle is getting enough funding for such large scale experiments.

[@xenocampanoli815]

One of the problems is that problems like this serve more as establishment of repeatability for existing accumulations of investment monies, and do little to change the present mis-allocation of labor. Most workers are engaged in scarce-resource wasting activities. In fact you could almost define what "jobs" right now are in that they need to be a form to attack lower priced scarce resources with maximal exploitation. Yes, there is a lot of tech we could make that could replace existing abuse of resources, but as long as we do not change imbalance of power and mis-education driven tastes, all such additions just further stimulate the growth machine and will thus make the impending economic and population crash even worse when it happens. We need to build a foundation of understanding of what is going on, to minimize growth immediately, and to minimize chaos and sudden destruction when we hit these crash points.

[@user-dm3ok7rf6l]

Democrati and the UN could help a little with this, The Security Council, and may the Creator help us.

[@miguel5785]

Dr. Tao got his brain mirror-cooled too, by the look of his hat. How cool is that?

[@noahbody9782]

What year do you think the climate emergency will cause a reduction in the per capita world food production?

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Cotati]

Am not so sure about the assertion of reduced global abundance...

[@bozoldier]

Not worried about leachate from hot water in theses plastic containers? Or its already part of the risk assessment?

[@yetao5801]

PET contains neither plasticisers nor leachable impurities.

[@obsoleteoptics]

​@@yetao5801phthalate is literally in the name, polyethylene terephthalate

[@bramvanduijn8086]

That doesn't affect the temperature extinction event, so it is of secondary importance.

[@mikeharrington5593]

At 20:42 Dr Ye Tao is shown addressing a room of interested Asian people. Surely this not from Sierra Leone which he was discussing, because Asians are a minority population in Sierra Leone & there were no apparent African attendees from Sierra Leone's majority ethnic groups ?

[@yetao5801]

Ferguson College in Pune, India

[@ClimateEmergencyForum]

Photos shown at 19:54, 20:41, and 23:14 were taken in India.

[@ilonaupite609]

This is a very easy solution to climate change, or at least will help us to rebalance the climate system now before we lose Arctic sea ice and habitat on this planet. We need to do that so that we could grow food and save biodiversity. After we have put mirrors outside all over the world we can replant the planet with hemp and bamboo and food and use instead of everything else. We would need to let all animals out to help us fix the ecosystems.

[@LivingNow678]

Said and done 🤔 Where is the right wizard with his magic 🪄 ?

[@user-dm3ok7rf6l]

In simple terms we must start now with MEER. Ok let's start tomorrow after breakfast.

[@LivingNow678]

Bill Gates and Elon Musk, they said after lunch 😲🙂🤔

[@seandalton2580]

Is that hat designed to reflect pie in the sky?

[@BombusMonticola]

Lol...no it's to help melt the invading flying chocolate teapots circling the earth.... As he said it reflects sunlight back into space to help restore the earth's energy balance..I wonder what approximate reduction in energy would occur if billions of daily hat wearers were to wear their hats every available opportunity and to wear only white clothing and paint their houses white or cover their roofs with reflective surfaces. I wonder.

[@Tailspin80]

Is this where the term “tin foil hat brigade” comes from?

[@globalwarming382]

You know Guyis saying "i told you so"

[@chrisdecrease4414]

Why don’t you pay kids and families a small amount to be protectors of the sensor devices?

[@yetao5801]

We already do that, but no one can stand guard 24/7.