We are HelpOffset.org and have plans beyond our means. Only contributors of effort or funds will make the difference! We have identified dozens of projects which will create Albedo Enhancement and so buy time to reduce emissions and to increase sequestration.
Buying time: Reduction of CO2 emissions and accumulation is not happening fast enough to slow the earth’s approach to very painful new realities. Desert environments are very different from normal humid environments and we need mesoscale climate models developed to see if the sea water flooding of desert lakes can contribute a significant net negative flux to justify the considerable expenditures necessary. We believe this is a way to delay global temperature rise and can so delay the tipping point – the point when it will no longer be possible to stop the increase in CO2 as much more is released due to heating and thawing of the Permafrost, increasing wildfires, melting snow and ice cover exposing the ground. The tipping point has been forecast recently to be 2030, perhaps 2040 the latest, giving us very little time for effective action!
Albedo Enhancement
Our research has led us to conclude that Albedo Enhancement using a variety of methods is the least expensive way to offset global warming and thus buy time to reduce our emissions and boost our sequestration.
This is expressed in an article written by the founder and published on March 7th. 2023 in the MDPI Climate Journal https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/11/3/62.
The article demonstrates an equivalence between Radiative Forcing (RF) from an Albedo Enhancing (AE) surface such as a new cloud, and the temporary removal of a Mass of CO2 and other Greenhouse Gases (GHG) from the atmosphere. The AE of a surface or cloud covering 1 sq km and with an RF factor of -25 W/m2 for one day has the same effect as temporarily removing 67300 tons of CO2 i.e. 18,400 tons of Carbon for that day.
Later research will include analysis of climate effects of Ocean Supplied artificial Desert Lakes (OSaDL) as part of an analysis of the benefits of boosting the latent heat portion of the hydrological cycle to cool the land. This will enable us to select the best sites and design the first OSaDL to demonstrate it’s value in terms of (a) massive non directed desalination of the ocean water (b) associated greening of the desert (c) available salt water for directed desalination (d) use of the inflow areas, where the salinity is close to that of the ocean, for aquaculture (e) cooling of the air over nearby land, (f) large area reduction of temperature extremes and more . There are 20 potential sites around the world which we eventually need to evaluate. Most of these are below sea level thus perhaps making the pumping of the sea water unnecessary.
Initial calculations indicate that it may take 80,000 sq.km of lake evaporating at a rate of 3 meters per year in hot arid desert areas to offset the annual increase of 0.02 degrees C in global warming over the land. However, it may also take the much more expensive area of 150,000 sq km — above research plan is designed to narrow our estimates. At this time we suspect that 150,000 sq .km of evaporation lakes would allow us to definitely offset global warming over land but only empirical results will provide better modelling data and prove it further and determine the extent of the considerable costs.
Effects of These Projects
These localized projects will involve considerable evaporation cooling locally and this cooling will spread over nearby land . Dew fall and water moisture absorption plus perhaps sometimes rain and limited use of desalinated water will enable regenerative farming and greening the desert near the lakes and especially the growth of commercial CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) crops such as cactus pear and agave which need about 1/10 of the water of that of normal plants. Perhaps even some resurrection plants (these can dry up completely but revive when moisture becomes available) would be suitable.
Geoengineering
There are many geoengineering projects conceived but ours has the least engineering risk as it uses old technology for a new purpose and is the most politically acceptable project as it can bring with it many other benefits including non-directed and normal desalination and aquaculture, huge local cooling, farming, new fishing grounds, water sports, and tourism.
Emails can be sent to ken@HelpOffset.org and donations here.
We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation accepting tax-deductible donations.
Our US Team-Directors
Ken Lightburn
Founder & President
Ken was born in the driest state in the driest continent on earth, South Australia, and the lack of rainfall concerned him (and most South Australians) very early on.
He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree (hence the initial thermodynamics approach to this problem), an MBA in Corporate Finance and International Business from NYU and most especially a long term interest in a geoengineering project to increase rainfall in South Australia decades ago. Rainfall increases were projected to be only 0.11 inches (2.8 mm) so pursuing it was not worthwhile.
In October 2018, he realized that the same project would yield significant cooling to help offset global warming and has set out to research this possibility, The research led to more fruitful areas and some are expressed in the article published on March 7th 2023 in the MDPI Climate journal https://www.mdpi.com/2225-1154/11/3/62
Additional pertinent experience includes the turnaround and sale of a public listed company in bankruptcy in only 6 months after being given one chance in 50 of selling it as a going concern. We are identify the value of Ocean Supplied artificial Desert Lakes and reactivate salt flats and he managed a 320 square mile (829 sq km) Lake Argyle in the North of Australia with a fishing team to reduce and sell the catfish population prior to stocking it with barramundi ( a highly favored fish in Australia). He had first negotiated an agreement with the Western Australian government which was ratified by an Act of Parliament allowing the operation of the ) Lake as a barramundi (Lates calcarifer) fish farm.
Studying geoengineering possibilities of all types has been pro bono and intense, 24/7 since October 2018. Solutions have to be politically acceptable and as economical as possible.
HelpOffset.org is a foundation formed on January 15th, 2019 to research appropriate Geoengineering projects to help offset global warming . A first victory is when a peer reviewed article with a significant breakthrough is published. In this case in MDPI Climate Journal on March 7th, 2023. The link is
We set out initially to define the value of Ocean Supplied Artificial Desert Lakes (OsADL) , especially in below sea level endorheic lake beds such that water pumping costs are minimized. In doing so have found ways to better express and cost and define many other Geoengineering (GeoE) projects and will make some of our results available in the near future.
Cooling of the hot desert air through evaporation of seawater channeled or piped from the nearest ocean, followed by a salt flat reflection (boosting the albedo) in associated areas . These will be accompanied with regenerative farming (for some appropriate sites) involving night time irrigation of nearby poor soils with desalinated water of crops with deep root structure, such as salt bush, to sequester carbon. Other additional methods have been conceived and will be investigated. Aquaculture of the Lake areas where salinity is not too high can result in high value shellfish crops and significant carbon sequestration in the shells .
Sustainability
There are many below sea level and above sea level suitable areas around the world with vast areas, some are 300 meters below sea level thus ensuring minimal pumping costs.
If you’d like to contribute to our efforts in other ways, please contact us at Ken@HelpOffset.org or Info@Helpoffset.org.
HelpOffset.org is a foundation formed on January 15th 2019 to research appropriate Geoengineering projects to help offset global warming. Victory is when a peer reviewed article with a significant breakthrough is published. In this case in MDPI Climate Journal on March 7th, 2023. The link is
We set out initially to define the value of Ocean Supplied Artificial Desert Lakes (OsADL) , especially in below sea level endorheic lake beds such that water pumping costs are minimized. In doing so have found ways to better express and cost and define many other Geoengineering (GeoE) projects and will make some of our results available in the near future.
Cooling of the hot desert air through evaporation of seawater channeled or piped from the nearest ocean, followed by a salt flat reflection (boosting the albedo) in associated areas . These will be accompanied with regenerative farming (for some appropriate sites) involving night time irrigation of nearby poor soils with desalinated water of crops with deep root structure, such as salt bush, to sequester carbon. Other additional methods have been conceived and will be investigated. Aquaculture of the Lake areas where salinity is not too high can result in high value shellfish crops and significant carbon sequestration in the shells .
Sustainability
There are many below sea level and above sea level suitable areas around the world with vast areas, some are 300 meters below sea level thus ensuring minimal pumping costs.
If you’d like to contribute to our efforts in other ways, please contact us at Ken@HelpOffset.org or Info@Helpoffset.org.
Dr Anita L Lightburn
Director
Dr. Anita Lightburn, MSS, M.Ed., Ed.D., Certificate, MLE Institute, Harvard Graduate School of Education Leading Transformation and Change.
Professor, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service I and
Director of the Beck Institute for Religion and Poverty.
Professional interests are community-based clinical practice, capacity building and evaluation research. Society’s environmental well-being and climate justice through geoengineering.
Dr. Lightburn has a background in program evaluation and intervention research in family support and school-based social work. She is a founding member of the International Association of Outcome-based Evaluation and Research in Children and Family Services.
Her academic appointments include Flinders University in South Australia. Columbia University School of Social Work and Dean of the Smith College School for Social Work, and Fordham University
Dr Lightburn is an elected member as a Distinguished Practitioner in the National Academy of Social Work
Australian Advisory Board
Dr John White
Executive Chairman, Birdon Group
Dr John White is Executive Chairman of the Birdon Group; Chairman of Regenerative Australian Farmers; Chairman (elect) of the PundaZoie Company (originator of the Greening the Earth Program) and the former Chairman of Global Renewables which was formed in 2000 to pursue greenhouse gas reduction measures by providing solutions for waste reduction and integrated technologies to develop the UR-3R (Urban Resources – Recovery, Reuse and Recycling) – a process successfully installed at Eastern Creek in Sydney.
In September 2005, Global Renewables was selected to design, build, own and operate the Lancashire Waste Partnership PFI project in the United Kingdom, with revenues of ~$6 billion processing 765,000 tonnes per annum of municipal solid waste over 25 years – the largest waste recycling project in the world.
John had extensive involvement with Woodside’s North West Shelf Offshore LNG Development from 1978, advised the Australian Government to instigate the RAN Submarine Project tender in the early 1980s and headed the teams that successfully tendered for the purchase of the Williamstown Naval Dockyard from the Australian Government; the completion of the Australian Frigate Project (2 FFGs) and the $5 billion ANZAC Frigate Project (10 ANZACs) – through the 1990s. He subsequently carried out the independent review of the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Program (with Professor Don Winter) and headed the German proposal for the RAN’s Future Submarines Program (SEA 1000) in 2016.
He has been director of a number of major private and listed companies and Chairman of the Australian Government’s Uranium Industry Framework and a member of the Australian Government’s Defence Procurement Board.
Chris Stoltz
DipCE FIEAust CPEng EngExec NER APEC Engineer IntPE(Aust) FAIM FAICD
Managing Director, Spatial Partners Pty Ltd
Broad industry experience in engineering, information technology, Geospatial Information Systems, water utilities, agribusiness, manufacturing, not-for-profit, regional development.
Demonstrated capabilities in creating positive change – skills in strategy, financial management, leadership, cost
reduction, business development, media, stakeholder and government relationships.
Extensive experience around Australia and International experience in Malaysia, UK, USA.
Extensive community service including aeromedical service, hospital boards, charities, local government.
EDUCATION
- Bendigo Institute of Technology (now La Trobe University), Civil Engineering 1969 – 1972 (Gold Medal – dux)
- Australian Institute of Company Directors, International Company Director 2010 (Diploma with Order of Merit)
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
2012 – current Managing Director Spatial Partners, Specialist Consulting for NBN Design & Construction
2008 – 2012 Chief Executive Officer we-do-IT, Specialist Geospatial IT Consulting
2005 – 2008 Chief Executive Officer Geospatial Information Technology Association, Professional Membership
2001 – 2002 Chief Executive Officer BoysTown, Social Welfare, Art Union/Lottery, Kids Help Line
2000 – 2001 General Manager Advanced Technology Environment Control, Specialist Consulting
1999 – 2000 General Manager Erskine Group, Conveyor / Equipment Manufacture & Brick Manufacture
1998 – 1999 Business Development Tandou Limited, Large Corporate Irrigated & Dryland Agriculture
1994 – 1997 Chief Executive Officer Sunraysia Rural Water Authority, State Government owned SME
DIRECTORSHIPS/BOARDS
Mayor, City of Bendigo in 1981/82
President, The Bendigo Hospital Board
Board Member The Bendigo Hospital (~ 9 years)
Board Member, Regional Board of LaTrobe University (~ 4 years)
Board Member, Mildura Base Hospital Board (~ 4 years)
Board Member, Sunraysia Area Consultative Committee (~ 3 years)
Chairman, Western Murray Development (~ 3 years)
President, Victoria Section Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (~ 7 years)
Director, Western Operations Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Pty Ltd (~ 3 years)
Councillor, Australian Council Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (~ 3 years)
Chairman, Emeritus Council of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (current)(~ 8 years)
Chair, The Friends of the Australian Flying Doctor (USA) (~ 2 years)
Chairman, United Way Queensland (~ 3 years)
Director, Advanced Technology Environment Control Pty Ltd (current)(~18 years)
Director, we-do-IT Pty Ltd (~ 3 years)
Director, Spatial Partners Pty Ltd (current)(~ 6 years)
President, Engineers Australia, Victoria Division (2016 – 2017) ( 2 years)
Chairman, Engineers Australia, Learned Society Advisory Committee (~ 2 years)
Deputy Chair, Centre for Engineering Leadership and Management (Vic) (~ 3 years)
Member, Australian Construction Achievement Awards Judging Panel (~ 3 years)
Chair, Engineering Industry Course Advisory Committee, La Trobe University (current)(~ 3 years)
Chair, Sacred Heart Mission (current)
MEMBERSHIPS AND INTERESTS
Cycling, wine, politics, travel, gardening, family (Chris and his wife Liz have 6 children).
Flying … Private Pilot’s License (PPL), Night VFR, Command Instrument Rating (IRC-SE)
AWARDS
Engineers Australia 2012 Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year
Professor Christopher vonderBorch
Emeritus Professor, Flinders University
1955: Graduated with BSc (Hons), Dept. of Geology, University of
Adelaide
1956: Field geologist, South Australian Geological Survey
1957-61: PhD degree research; PhD awarded 1961, University of
Adelaide. Title: Modem dolomite formation in the Coorong Lagoon area, South Australia.
1962: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Adelaide
1963-64: Sverdrup Fellow, Scripps Inst. Of Oceanography, La Jolla,
California
1964-65: Research staff member, Scripps Inst.
1965-67:Fellow of Horace Lamb Oceanographic Centre, Flinders
University of South Australia. Chief scientist on several marine science cruises.
1968-70: Staff geologist, Deep Sea Drilling Project, Scripps Inst.
Sea-going sedimentologist on DSDP legs 2, 5 and 7, North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
1971-1995: Full Professor of Marine Geology, Flinders University
of South Australia; Co-Chief Scientist on Deep Sea Drilling cruise legs 22 and 90, and sedimentologist on Leg 36, Indian Ocean, South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; chief scientist aboard RV Franklin and Ngerin for 4 cruises in the Southern Ocean; Co-Chief Scientist on HMAS Cook in 1989 for GLORIA deep sea imaging cruises off the Great Barrier Reef and Southern Australia.
Research projects, in some cases involving graduate students, in
the late Proterozoic of the Flinders Ranges (South Australia) and Indonesia; main supervisor for 12 PhD students and 4 MSc students; Chairman of the School of Earth Sciences for 3 a year period; 1977 Visiting Professor at Scripps Inst. Of Oceanography; in 1983, visiting Professor at School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle.
1995-present: Emeritus Professor of Geology, Flinders University.
Research projects include 3 field trips to Lake Eyre Basin with participants from New York Museum of Natural History and Flinders University, and Co-Chief scientist in 2006 aboard RV Southern Surveyor, swath-mapping and coring the large southern Australian submarine canyons.
Past membership
of National and International Committees:
Commission for Marine Geology (International Union of Geological
Sciences)
Consortium for Ocean Geoscience
Australian Working Group on Quaternary Sealevel
Chairman, Australian Study Group on Passive Continental Margins
(Working Group 8 of the Inter-Union Commission of Geodynamics) Scientific Coordinator of General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) chart No.5.20, Australia
Committee member of Australian Scientific Planning Committee for the International Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)
Member, Sedimentological and Geochemical Processes Panel of the ODP
Member of User’s Committee for the Australian National Facility Oceanographic Vessel, RV Franklin
Scientific Publications.
Senior author and co-author of about 85 articles in refereed scientific journals.
1955: Graduated with BSc (Hons), Dept. of Geology, University of
Adelaide
1956: Field geologist, South Australian Geological Survey
1957-61: PhD degree research; PhD awarded 1961, University of
Adelaide. Title: Modem dolomite formation in the Coorong Lagoon area, South Australia.
1962: Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Adelaide
1963-64: Sverdrup Fellow, Scripps Inst. Of Oceanography, La Jolla,
California
1964-65: Research staff member, Scripps Inst.
1965-67:Fellow of Horace Lamb Oceanographic Centre, Flinders
University of South Australia. Chief scientist on several marine science cruises.
1968-70: Staff geologist, Deep Sea Drilling Project, Scripps Inst.
Sea-going sedimentologist on DSDP legs 2, 5 and 7, North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
1971-1995: Full Professor of Marine Geology, Flinders University
of South Australia; Co-Chief Scientist on Deep Sea Drilling cruise legs 22 and 90, and sedimentologist on Leg 36, Indian Ocean, South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans; chief scientist aboard RV Franklin and Ngerin for 4 cruises in the Southern Ocean; Co-Chief Scientist on HMAS Cook in 1989 for GLORIA deep sea imaging cruises off the Great Barrier Reef and Southern Australia.
Research projects, in some cases involving graduate students, in
the late Proterozoic of the Flinders Ranges (South Australia) and Indonesia; main supervisor for 12 PhD students and 4 MSc students; Chairman of the School of Earth Sciences for 3 a year period; 1977 Visiting Professor at Scripps Inst. Of Oceanography; in 1983, visiting Professor at School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle.
1995-present: Emeritus Professor of Geology, Flinders University.
Research projects include 3 field trips to Lake Eyre Basin with participants from New York Museum of Natural History and Flinders University, and Co-Chief scientist in 2006 aboard RV Southern Surveyor, swath-mapping and coring the large southern Australian submarine canyons.
Past membership
of National and International Committees:
Commission for Marine Geology (International Union of Geological
Sciences)
Consortium for Ocean Geoscience
Australian Working Group on Quaternary Sealevel
Chairman, Australian Study Group on Passive Continental Margins
(Working Group 8 of the Inter-Union Commission of Geodynamics) Scientific Coordinator of General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) chart No.5.20, Australia
Committee member of Australian Scientific Planning Committee for the International Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)
Member, Sedimentological and Geochemical Processes Panel of the ODP
Member of User’s Committee for the Australian National Facility Oceanographic Vessel, RV Franklin
Scientific Publications.
Senior author and co-author of about 85 articles in refereed scientific journals.