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'Geoengineering'--taking control of our planet's climate
1University of Bristol, School of Geographical Sciences, University Road, Bristol BS8 ISS, UK. p.j.irvine@bristol.ac.uk
Science Progress
|August 25, 2009
Summary
Geoengineering offers potential climate control solutions if radical societal changes fail. This science explores large-scale interventions like solar shading and ocean iron fertilization to mitigate climate change risks.
Area of Science:
- Climate science
- Environmental engineering
- Geoengineering research
Background:
- International consensus exists to avoid dangerous climate change.
- Current societal and economic structures hinder necessary radical changes.
- Unacceptably damaging global environmental change is likely without intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore geoengineering as a potential solution to climate change.
- To assess the current state of geoengineering science.
- To examine the societal implications of geoengineering technologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging geoengineering concepts.
- Analysis of proposed large-scale climate intervention schemes.
- Consideration of societal and environmental impacts.
Main Results:
- Geoengineering presents novel, albeit technologically ambitious, approaches to climate control.
- Proposed methods include solar radiation management and ocean fertilization.
- The science is nascent, with significant unknowns regarding efficacy and side effects.
Conclusions:
- Geoengineering may offer a temporary reprieve from climate change impacts.
- Urgent consideration of societal and ethical implications is necessary.
- Further research is critical to understand the risks and benefits of geoengineering.
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