The Science of Climate Engineering: Risks and Benefits - Thesis

[Geoengineering News]

https://smartie.kiu.ac.ug/public/assets/publications/1756132684_da051c5d9290ed06c830.pdf

Authors: G Mwende Wairimu

Abstract 

As the global community struggles to curb greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change, climate engineering also known as geoengineering has emerged as a controversial yet potentially powerful strategy. This paper examines the science of climate engineering by examining its historical evolution, technological mechanisms, perceived benefits, and inherent risks. It differentiates between the two primary branches of climate engineering: Solar Radiation Management (SRM), which aims to reflect sunlight to cool the planet, and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), which targets the extraction of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. While SRM techniques such as stratospheric aerosol injection promise rapid climate effects at relatively low financial costs, they also pose significant environmental, geopolitical, and ethical risks. Conversely, CDR methods are perceived as more natural and less hazardous but are slower, more expensive, and less scalable in the short term. Public perception and international legal frameworks further complicate the deployment of these technologies. The paper emphasizes the need for robust governance mechanisms, transparent research agendas, and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure that any future applications of climate engineering prioritize safety, equity, and sustainability. In the face of escalating climate threats, geoengineering may become a necessary complement to mitigation and adaptation strategies but only under strict regulatory and ethical safeguards.

Source: Smartie.Kiu