Climate engineering

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Climate engineering, also known as geoengineering, refers to the deliberate and large-scale intervention in the Earth's climate system with the aim of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Climate engineering is typically divided into two main categories: solar radiation management (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR).

Solar Radiation Management (SRM)

Solar radiation management aims to reflect a small proportion of the Sun's energy back into space to reduce global temperatures. Techniques under SRM include:

• Stratospheric aerosol injection: Involves injecting reflective particles, such as sulfur dioxide, into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight.
• Marine cloud brightening: Enhances the reflectivity of clouds by spraying fine sea water to create more cloud condensation nuclei.
• Space-based reflectors: Deploying mirrors or other reflective materials in space to deflect sunlight away from Earth.

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

Carbon dioxide removal focuses on reducing the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. Techniques under CDR include:

• Afforestation and reforestation: Planting trees to absorb CO2 through photosynthesis.
• Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): Growing biomass, burning it for energy, and capturing and storing the emitted CO2.
• Direct air capture: Using chemical processes to capture CO2 directly from the air and storing it underground.
• Ocean fertilization: Adding nutrients to the ocean to stimulate the growth of phytoplankton that absorb CO2.

Ethical and Governance Issues

Climate engineering raises significant ethical, environmental, and governance issues. Concerns include:

• Moral hazard: The possibility that the availability of climate engineering might reduce the incentive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Environmental risks: Potential unintended consequences on ecosystems and weather patterns.
• Governance: The need for international regulations and agreements to manage the deployment and research of climate engineering technologies.

Current Research and Development

Research into climate engineering is ongoing, with various projects and experiments being conducted to assess the feasibility, risks, and benefits of different techniques. However, there is no consensus on the deployment of these technologies, and many scientists advocate for further research and cautious consideration.

See Also

• Climate change mitigation
• Global warming
• Greenhouse gas
• Renewable energy
• Sustainable development