Geoengineering is defined as intentional large-scale manipulation of the environment, or intervention in the earth's natural systems to reduce or counteract climate change. Geoengineering centers on the environmental change as its primary goal rather than a side effect.
The initial practice or suggestion of geoengineering is dated back 1930s to 1950s after the 2nd world war. But then, the term was first used in early 1970s, to describe the mitigation of climate impact of fossil fuel combustion by the injection of CO2 into the deep ocean by an Italian physicist called Cesare Marchetti.
In 1992, the term gained more attention where it was used in one of National Academy Of Sciences assessment publications.
In 2006, Royal Society published their first comprehensive research on geoengineering, highlighting the potential benefits and emphasizing the need for more responsible researches and governance.
In 2021, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) included a limited discussion on geoengineering in its 6th assessment report, acknowledging the potential role but suggested deeply the importance of prioritizing emission reduction. With these incidences, Geoengineering came to the limelight for sustainability.
Benefits Of Geoengineering
There are several intended benefits of geoengineering in the quest to reduce carbon emissions.
- One key benefit is that it can help to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, through carbon capture and storage (CCS) or through carbon sequestration.
- Geoengineering can also improve air quality by reducing the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere. It can also improve water quality by reducing the amount of runoff and pollutants entering water systems. It can also help to conserve biodiversity by restoring damaged ecosystems and promoting the growth of native species.
- Reducing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the earth's surface by using techniques such as solar radiation management (SRM).
- Enhancing the earth's natural carbon sinks, such as forests and oceans, through practices like reforestation and ocean fertilization.
Successful Examples of Geoengineering In Reducing Carbon Emissions
- One successful example is the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology that has been proven to be successful in the Sleipner field in Norway, where carbon dioxide has been successfully stored in an underground sandstone formation for over 20 years.
- Another successful example is the Petra Nova project in Texas, where carbon dioxide is captured from a coal-fired power plant and stored in a nearby saline aquifer.
Other successful examples of geoengineering include the use of biochar, that has been proven to increase crop yields, improve soil fertility, and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases released from the soil; the use of renewable energy sources, which places like Hornsdale Power Reserve, Australia, have successfully implemented to reduce emissions.
Overall, these proven successes through geoengineering demonstrate that there are a variety of ways to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
Diagram showing the several proposed methods of Geoengineering
Image source: IPCC/Royal society.
Reasons why Geoengineering is accused as a false solution:
Both insiders and critics consider major Geoengineering techniques to be 'uncomfortable and seriously problematic'. The Overshoot Commission was set up, in 2022, to discuss accelerating emissions cuts, helping the world adapt to climate change, carbon dioxide removal and solar geoengineering. Putting the idea of solar radiation management (SRM) into perspective, it is said that SRM won’t protect the planet from rising greenhouse gases but only temporarily offset some of the warming caused by climate change – acting as a band aid rather than a cure.
Opponents also argue it is a distraction from addressing the root causes of climate change and offers polluters an avenue to avoid taking climate action.
Objective Group Opinion That Geoengineering Is Indeed A False Solution.
There is the general school of thought that Geoengineering would stop global warming, but it would not completely stop climate change. It would cool the Earth, reducing problems like Arctic sea ice loss and global sea level rise., It would not reduce direct effects of having more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, like ocean acidification.
Practicable recommendations to employ as real solutions to combating the climate crisis:
While Geoengineering is seen to be a novel solution to climate crises, its efficiency cannot be 100% as such, some recommended practicable solution to reduce the climate crises involves:
- Prioritizing Carbon Emission Reduction: Geoengineering should be seen as a temporary solution to cut CO2 in the environment. Drastic reduction in carbon emissions by humans is far a better practice.
- Focused Research and Development: To evaluate the efficacy, dangers, and long-term effects of different geoengineering techniques, a substantial amount of well-funded research is needed.
- Small-Scale, Cautious Development: Beginning with small-scale, well monitored projects, would minimise risks and allow for review and modifications.
- International Governance: A strong framework for international governance is essential to guaranteeing the moral, responsible, and fair application of geoengineering methods, especially considering the possibility of distributed effect.
References:
C. Field(2021) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Reflecting Sunlight: Recommendations for Solar Geoengineering Research and Research Governance
Climate Home News, 2023.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Special Report: Global Warming of 1.5 °C: https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/
Climate geoengineering by Kevin C Elliott
Geoengineering Governance: Addressing the Problems of Moral Corruption, Moral Hazard, and Intergenerational Inclusion
Joshua Wells(2020)
Article written by GEOENGINEERING GSAG
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