The Desperation Argument for Geoengineering by Stephen Gardiner :: SSRN
Andrew Lockley
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2183457
The Desperation Argument for Geoengineering
Stephen Gardiner
University of Washington, Seattle
November 1, 2012
PS: Political Science and Politics, 2012
Abstract:
Some argue that geoengineering by desperate nations would be justified, and that the developed nations ought to aid them through research on how to do it. In this paper, I explore two interpretations of such arguments and find them wanting. I also argue that, whether or not geoengineering by the desperate would be justified, focusing on justification alone obscures important aspects of the ethics of geoengineering.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 11
Keywords: solar radiation management, ethics and geoengineering, self-defense, consent, domination
Date posted: December 2, 2012
Suggested Citation
Gardiner, Stephen, The Desperation Argument for Geoengineering (November 1, 2012). PS: Political Science and Politics, 2012. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2183457
Contact Information
Stephen Gardiner (Contact Author)
Ken Caldeira
Apparently, there have been advances in ethics since I last studied it.
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RAU greg
CO2 emissions rises mean dangerous climate change now almost certainlResearch by
Global Carbon Project says emissions growth placing world on path to warm
between 4 and 6C
* Reuters
* guardian.co.uk, Monday 3 December 2012 01.01 EST
The CO2 emissions study focuses on emissions from burning fossil fuels and
cement production. Photograph: Charlie Riedel/AP
Carbon dioxide emissions from industry rose an estimated 2.6% this year,
according to a study of global carbon emissions.
The research by the Global Carbon Project, an annual report card on mankind's
CO2 pollution, also says emissions grew 3.1% in 2011, placing the world on a
near-certain path towards dangerous climate change, such as more heat waves,
droughts and storms.
The finding will give renewed urgency to the nearly 200 countries attending
international climate talks in Doha, Qatar, which run until 7 December and aim
to galvanize ambition in fighting climate change by limiting warming to below
2C, a goal nations agreed in 2010. Temperatures have already risen by 0.8C since
pre-industrial times.
"I am worried that the risks of dangerous climate change are too high on our
current emissions trajectory. We need a radical plan," said co-authorCorinne Le
Quéré, director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research in Britain and
professor at the University of East Anglia.
Total emissions for 2012 are estimated to be 35.6 billion tonnes, researchers
said in the study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change.
Current emissions growth is placing the world on a path to warm between 4C and
6C, says the study, with global emissions jumping 58% between 1990 and this
year. The study focuses on emissions from burning fossil fuels and cement
production.
A few big developing nations are fuelling the emissions growth, the study says,
even though the global financial crisis spawned long-term green stimulus plans
by China, India, the United States and others to attempt to curtail CO2 output.
China's carbon emissions grew 9.9% in 2011 after rising 10.4% in 2010 and now
comprise 28% of all CO2 pollution compared with 16% for the United States.
India's emissions grew 7.5% last year versus 9.4% growth in 2010, while
emissions in the United States and the European Union fell 1.8% and 2.8%
respectively in 2011.
"Unless large and concerted global mitigation efforts are initiated soon, the
goal of remaining below 2C will soon become unachievable," say the authors.
Globally, the improvement in the carbon intensity of economies, a measure of
carbon emissions per unit of gross domestic product, has stalled since 2005,
according to the study, which analysed data from the US government, United
Nations and statistics from the oil company BP.
Emissions in 2011 from coal totalled 43%, oil 34%, with gas and cement
production making up the rest.
The authors say while it was technically still possible to limit warming to
below 2C, emissions growth would have to rapidly come to a halt and then fall
quickly.
Benjamin Hale
Is it unethical to seek new, more effective solutions when "ethical" actions prove ineffective?
-Greg
Sure. Sometimes.
Benjamin Hale
Assistant Professor/Graduate Director (ENVS)
Philosophy and Environmental Studies
University of Colorado, Boulder
Tel: 303 735-3624; Fax: 303 735-1576
http://www.practicalreason.com
http://cruelmistress.wordpress.com
--
Rau, Greg
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2012 10:58 PM
To: gh...@sbcglobal.net; 'geoengineering'
Subject: RE: [geo] Meanwhile: >4C increase assured, unless.....?
Benjamin Hale
> OK, when is it unethical to seek new, more effective solutions when "ethical" actions prove ineffective? By "seek" I mean to solicit and objectively evaluate potential solutions.
Indeed. That’s the question.