Geo-engineering Technologies: Applications & Concerns

Geo-engineering is an umbrella term for various experimental technologies. It refers to deliberate, large-scale intervention carried out in the Earth’s natural systems to reverse the impacts of climate change.

Example

  • Solar Radiation Modification (SRM)
  • Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies

SRM: SRM techniques aim to reflect a small proportion of the Sun’s energy back into space. It includes:

  • Albedo enhancement
  • Space reflectors
  • Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)
  • Cirrus Cloud Thinning

CDR: CDR techniques aim to remove carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. It includes:

  • Afforestation
  • Biochar
  • Bio-energy with carbon capture and sequestration
  • Ambient Air Capture
  • Ocean Fertilization
  • Enhanced Weathering to react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
  • Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement

Risks associated with Geo-engineering

  • Many experts fear that it may impair the self-regulation capacity of natural ecosystems thereby doing more harm in the long-run.
  • They may distract attention from the need for deep cuts to gross emissions.
  • The impacts will not be limited to national borders. For instance, unilateral use of SAI could lead to significant adverse effects in other countries.
  • The unintended consequences could include an adverse impact on rainfall, crop production and ocean acidification.
  • There is also an ethical argument that ‘do we have the right to manage and manipulate nature?’

Geo-engineering Initiatives taken across the Globe

  • China has been implementing one of the world’s largest weather-modification programmes to artificially enhance rain. It plans to expand capacity to cover nearly 60% of the country by 2025.
  • The University of Cambridge created the Centre for Climate Repair to develop new methods for SRM and cloud brightening.
  • While geo-engineering is highly risky, some experts argue that countries will deploy it if they fear large-scale casualties or economic disruptions due to extreme climatic events.

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