(ORDO NEWS) — While geoengineering is a potentially effective solution to combat global warming , some experts are concerned about the risks associated with such a drastic measure.
Recall that most geoengineering projects propose to “cool the planet” by partially blocking sunlight .
Unexplored geoengineering
Last year, startup Make Sunsets launched two experimental two-meter helium balloons designed to release sulfur dioxide into the Earth‘s stratosphere.
Such a solution, according to Make Sunsets, will locally reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the surface of our planet. However, scientists sounded the alarm .
“Just because we’re desperate [global warming is on the rise] doesn’t make solar geoengineering all of a sudden a good idea,” said Lily Fuhr, a fellow at the Center for International Environmental Law. “The risks are incredibly huge.”
The risks are really serious:
- Possible damage to rain patterns
- Declining global yields
- Damage to the ozone layer, which is still recovering from the ban on ozone-depleting chemicals
Raymond Pierrumbert, professor of physics at the University of Oxford, believes that even the initial success of geoengineering can have its drawbacks.
According to the scientist, geoengineering may need “constant recharge”, and if this is not provided, then this can lead to the effect of a “finishing shock”, releasing even more negative consequences.
Frank Biermann, a sustainability expert at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, believes that if geoengineering becomes a widespread practice, it could also have geopolitical implications.
“Geoengineering will require nations to cooperate forever, even through wars,” Biermann commented.
With NATO struggling to keep afloat, and the arrangements mandated by the Paris Agreement on Environmental Protection being seen more as proposals than rules, the concept of permanent geoengineering cooperation seems almost comical.
Problem geoengineering
Given all these and many other serious problems, in 2021 some 400 scientists called on the world community to accept an international agreement not to use solar geoengineering, ending the further development of technology until, if – or when – we have no other choice.
While the technology continues to generate interest thanks to companies like Make Sunsets, many experts refuse to rethink their opposition.
“It’s very risky. This cannot be controlled. It’s unethical,” Biermann said. “And this is one of the biggest threats in current climate policy.”
Since geoengineering has never been done before, there could be a lot of unintended consequences – and many scientists believe that this gamble is not worth it.
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