About our Geoengineering news
Latest news on geoengineering, covering climate engineering, solar radiation management (SRM), carbon dioxide removal (CDR), research, debates, and potential impacts on the environment and society.
Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions in the Earth's climate system to counteract global warming. As climate change intensifies, interest in geoengineering is growing among researchers, policymakers, and the public. However, geoengineering remains highly controversial, with concerns about unintended consequences, governance challenges, and ethical implications.
Recent developments in geoengineering include increased research into SRM techniques like stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening, as well as CDR methods such as direct air capture and enhanced weathering. In April 2024, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a special report assessing the current state of geoengineering research and its potential role in addressing climate change. The report emphasised the need for caution and further research to better understand the risks and benefits of geoengineering.
Geoengineering has significant social and cultural implications, with some viewing it as a potential "quick fix" for climate change, while others see it as a distraction from the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental groups and indigenous communities have raised concerns about the impacts of geoengineering on ecosystems, biodiversity, and traditional ways of life. Some have called for a moratorium on geoengineering experiments until there is a more robust international governance framework in place.
The idea of intentionally manipulating the Earth's climate has a long history, dating back to proposals in the 1960s and 1970s to use geoengineering to counteract global cooling. However, as the scientific understanding of climate change has evolved, the focus has shifted to using geoengineering to address global warming. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change opened the door for considering geoengineering as part of the portfolio of responses to climate change, while emphasising the need for precaution and further research.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change, staying informed about the latest developments in geoengineering is crucial. Our NewsNow feed provides comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of geoengineering research, policy debates, and public perceptions, drawing on reliable sources to help you navigate this complex and rapidly evolving field.