Let's start again

“I don’t see the problem” President Grant plainly didn’t want to be there.

Reveling in the position of Chairman, Prime Minister Asad couldn’t quite avoid sarcasm.

“Understandably, Mr. President….I suppose you’ve become comfortable with the ‘Old California’ climate across the American Federation.”

“Maybe” conceded the Chief, “We voted for it! Like you Europeans did for your expensive timed temperate set-up.”

He was always irritated by the Limeys attitude. Because the ‘inventor’ happened to be a European/Asian – they took it for granted that Europe was not required to make a significant contribution to the costs of the programme.

Asad ignored the jibe. He looked around the table. The continental federations were all represented. With a glance towards the Africans he observed,
“Well some members are not happy.”

President Owusu nodded.

“Our revised needs have been clearly presented previous to this meeting”

Yes, thought Chairman Huang, like us they have found they need a bit less rain here and a bit more wind there. The effect on rice yields and the increase in rural smog had not been anticipated.

The Prime Minister wanted to show he had an open mind.

“All members have documented new proposals. Perhaps we should ask Professor Arora Singh for his thoughts?”

The Professor looked up from his digi-display and sighed.

“I can only remind the conference that the Global Climate Adjustment Programme is …just that – Global. It was implemented with fixed parameters. Those agreed by all the federation members.”

He consulted the digi-display - which he knew was also in front of all the others.

“As shown in our report, any changes will require considerable further research.”

He looked pointedly at Huang and the Grant.

“It will cost at least 30 billion Global Units. And any one of those proposed changes may have not only local but global effects.”

Singh left it hanging there. Silence – till the PM finally spoke again.

“If there are no further comments or questions…..we had better vote on whether we direct Professor Singh’s team to proceed. And to confirm that the funds will be made available for the re-programming of GCAP.”

Vote they did. It was four to one in favour of a complete revision of the programme. The Asian and American federations would have to find the major share of the extra billions of Globals. However, all members, apart from the Americans were positive about the changes. It was especially true for the PM who gladly anticipated the funds flowing into the European research facilities.

Prof. Singh was ambivalent. It wasn’t as easy as that. New research money would be welcome but they would have to work round the clock to meet the re-programming deadline. What selective memories the federations had. Singh remembered how they lauded him and his team when they announced, in 2027, that GCAP had been perfected.

How they had gladly accepted all Singh’s recommendations about the parameters for each continental sector. How they beamed at the prospect of no more droughts, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes or other extreme weather.

They all but cheered, when it was apparent that there could also be an end to global warming. Best of all, no more disruption to their sacred economies! Now seven years later, they were like spoilt bickering children - wanting new and more costly toys. Well, they would continue to pay a high price for his team’s expertise.In fact, Singh was bored with climate control…..sorry adjustment. There were so many other areas of research that were more interesting. And they would pay for those too.

GCAP2 was delivered ahead of deadline in period 3 of 2032. The members were beaming again. All ‘proposals’ had been satisfied.

The big bonus was the conversion (instead of storage) of CO2, and Methane into harmless non-greenhouse gases. Global warming was indeed a problem of the past. Singh’s other ambitions were mostly satisfied as well. A large amount quantum software and hardware production had been diverted to his other projects.
Everyone was happy – for a while.

By period 1 of 2043 the federation heads in each of the regions had changed at least twice.
So, it was Prime Minister Mahmud who opened the conference that year. It had been instigated by the current Asian delegate - Chairman Chang.

“I don’t think it was envisaged that we would be meeting so soon to discuss further changes to GCAP2?” observed the PM.

“Our climate is acceptably stable” Chang appeared deferential. “It’s a question of resources – our economy needs additional volumes of Hydrogen.”

American President Maria Mitsubishi reacted immediately. She was reputed to have a quick temper.

“Yeah we need that too! But without having to sacrifice supplies of water.”

Both the Americans and Asians were also way ahead of the other federations in the use of Nitrogen as an energy source – but were not yet willing to share that information.

The PM thanked the stars that a major share of Hydrogen production still came from his little islands.

“I think we all agree that sustaining Hydrogen supplies is becoming a problem”

There were general nods around the table.
Mahmud then turned to the ever present, Singh - sitting in the same place at the table as previous meetings.

“What can you advise Professor?”

Singh struggled to contain his annoyance. These new idiots were even greedier than their predecessors. They wanted the sweets in the shop that were difficult to reach.

“I must remind the federations that GCAP was never intended to be a programme that could be constantly adjusted or extended. Indeed, the latest information we have, indicates that we are at the limits of opportunity provided by the current quantum algorithms.”

“What the hell does that mean?” screeched Mitsubishi.

The Professor raised his eyes to the heavens.

“In short….it means the GCAP programme may not function at all if yet another set of parameters is applied. We could revert to a chaos affected situation.”

The PM thought that calm and objective discussion needed to be restored.

“Are you saying Professor that…even with further substantial funding, the issues of gas utilization could not be resolved without upsetting climate stabilization?”

Before Singh could respond, Chang cut in.

“There is another issue that we need to include in any review. What can be done about the frequency and scale of global seismic and volcanic events?”

The Professor put his head in his hands. Was there no limit to the demands of these damned politicians? But he quietly said,

“GCAP can not offer control….sorry adjustment… in that area.”

Since her outburst, President Mitsubishi had become more thoughtful.

“Maybe we can help with that. We have this… citizen who has done great research into quantum intervention with earthquake and volcanic activity.”

Singh looked up, suddenly more interested.

“What if..” continued Mitsubishi “….we transferred him to the GCAP team? On a semi-permanent basis if you like.”

“What’s his name?” Singh thought he already knew.

Mitsubishi grinned. “Better than that….”

She manipulated the codes on her digi-display. Holographic images of Professor Nathaniel Ure, appeared on the room’s central display - together with his CV and a synopsis of his research at the University of Brasilia.

Singh did indeed know of this man and his work. He nodded slowly to himself. No one spoke for a while. Some were reading Ure’s details. Some were looking at the image of the man. He had a youngish face with Semitic features and a kind of wistful expression. Singh had a strong feeling that he had actually met this man before. But he knew he hadn’t. What he - and all others in the room - didn’t realise, was that they were all having that same feeling. The PM broke the silence.

“Well Professor….What’s your reaction to this suggestion?”

Singh considered his reply carefully.

“I very much respect Professor Ure’s work. No guarantees! But given his…..collaboration – and the necessary research funds…..it might be possible to address both the gas utilisation and geological issues.”

Again there was a vote. It was unanimous this time. In favour of funding the new Global Climate & Geological Adjustment (GCGAP) programme.

“Let’s start over again!” Prime Minister Mahmud extolled.

Contrary to Singh’s fears, Nat Ure was easy to work with. His input was brilliantly insightful, not to say groundbreaking. And his attitude to other members of GCGAP was cooperative to the point of being deferential.

From the start Ure adopted Singh’s way of working – round the clock and with total commitment. Obstacles and set-backs were quickly overcome. Results came thick and fast. Way ahead of the deadline.
In period 2 of 2049, software programmes and hardware designs for both gas conversion and seismic control were presented to another summit of federation members. Global celebration took place. Particularly in the Asian and American federations. There was a general feeling that human beings had, at last, tamed the elements. In 2054 GCGAP was implemented. However by period 3 of that year, there had occurred globally, no less than 23 tectonic plate movements or ‘quakes’. Some of them were rated very highly on the Kulikovsky scale.

These seismic events were punctuated by nine major volcanic eruptions. There was at least one of these in each of the federation areas. Most were at volcano sites that were previously thought to be dormant.

The federation heads were appalled. The considerable loss of life and damage to infrastructure was totally unacceptable to their citizens.
At an emergency meeting of federation heads, all eyes were on Professors Singh and Ure. Singh looked as though he was in shock. Ure just appeared sad. It was almost as though he was resigned to some inevitability. The meeting ended with the two being directed to go back to their research with a single urgent instruction. As Maria Mitsubishi put it,

“Fix the…..your goddamn mess!”

Back at the research facility Singh looked at Ure with barely suppressed desperation.

“Any ideas?”

“I think it’s time to consult with Father” Nat said softly.

Singh was incredulous.

“Your Dad…..! He’s dead, isn’t he?”

Nat Ure didn’t respond. He had closed his eyes and appeared to be meditating.

Although no words were used, Singh ‘heard’ the question and the ‘answer’ deep in his consciousness.

“Dear Father. What should be done?”

“ERM….JESUS!…WELL…I SUPPOSE….YES…

FROM THE BEGINNING, LET’S START AGAIN.”

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