Granger Morgan estimates that we need an 80% reduction in emissions by mid-century to avoid some of the extreme effects of climate change. Although it’s a startling statistic, he has explored alternatives, such as adopting more efficient lighting sources, limiting CO2 emissions, fertilizing the ocean with nutrients that allow plankton to grow faster and absorb more carbon, and putting reflective particles into the atmosphere to reduce sunlight that reaches Earth. It’s this kind of pioneering work that has gained the Carnegie Mellon professor international recognition, most recently the 2011 Chester F. Carlson Award, given by the American Society of Engineering Education, which honors innovators in engineering education.
Elizabeth May