Who Are the Engineers? Solar Geoengineering Research and Justice

[Geoeng Info]

https://direct.mit.edu/glep/article/doi/10.1162/glep_a_00620/106768/Who-Are-the-Engineers-Solar-Geoengineering

Who Are the Engineers? Solar Geoengineering Research and Justice

Olúfẹmi O. Táíwò, Shuchi Talati

Abstract

Solar geoengineering research is a small but growing field as concerns arise that reducing emissions will not be sufficient to limit severe climate impacts. With this increasing attention, ensuring that the field advances equitably and inclusively is of immense importance. This commentary is a response to arguments that advocate for abandoning solar geoengineering research altogether because it perpetuates colonialism and promotes injustice. We find, however, that this brand of argument is itself performatively colonial and recommend a more inclusive framework for solar geoengineering governance that integrates existing research on relevant structures.