It’s a wrap…no, not a sandwich wrap

In my blog, I set out to critically analyse the many components of geoengineering: their effectiveness, feasibility and safety aspects. I expected all of my burning questions to be answered – if anything, the process has made me question even more.

I felt it was unfair to tar the entire discipline of geoengineering with one brush, and on the whole I do think some geoengineering techniques are safer, more feasible and more practical than others. You, the readers, voted more in favour of CDR techniques, e.g. carbon capture & storage, than riskier SRM techniques, e.g. sulphate aerosols. Personally, I also believe CDR schemes are less risky, as well as addressing the problem of rising atmospheric CO₂.

 Yes, geoengineering is risky, and some techniques are relatively riskier than others. However, I have also learnt that for all of our downfalls, the human race is capable of ‘fixing’ our shortcomings. I feel that there is SOMETHING – an undiscovered geoengineering idea, or a modification of an existing one – that must have potential. Maybe not Star Trek style space deflectors – but something. Realistically, every day that passes without significant climate change action is a step closer to geoengineering.

Instead of ruling it out as an option, I think its important that we continue to encourage holistic geoengineering research. For example, linking geoengineering to the planetary boundaries concept is very useful. And there are aspects that do need to be critically discussed and questioned: such as governance, ethical limitations and inequities. 

Factors geoengineering must take into account:

1)    Climate effects (e.g. temperature, precipitation, hydrology, sea ice) of different techniques across different spatio-temporal scales

2)   Human impacts (e.g. health, agricultural, drought/flooding)

3)   Ecological impacts

4)   Biogeochemical cycle impact (e.g. N, P, C, Si)

Questions geoengineering must answer:

1)    How can geoengineering risk be managed?

2)   How can geoengineering be ethically deployed & governed?

3)   How can geoengineering uncertainty be reduced?

I hope you enjoyed reading my blog and found it helpful – I have enjoyed this learning process.  Thank you 😊