Geoengineering: the basics
Definition of geoengineering
What is the large-scale, deliberate intervention in the Earth's climate system to counteract anthropogenic climate change?
This method of CDR involves planting trees in areas that were not previously forests.
What is afforestation?
This term refers to the percentage of sunlight a surface reflects back into space.
What is albedo?
A major concern about geoengineering is that it could unintentionally disrupt these natural communities of living organisms and their environment.
What are ecosystems and habitats?
Geoengineering methods such as afforestation and direct air capture remove carbon dioxide from this biogeochemical cycle.
What is the carbon cycle?
Difference between climate change mitigation and geoengineering
What are deliberate strategies that attempt to manage climate change through technological intervention rather than reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
This method restores forests that were previously cut down, burned, or otherwise destroyed.
What is reforestation?
This proposed geoengineering technique involves spraying seawater into the air to make clouds more reflective.
What is marine cloud brightening?
SRM may cool the planet, but it does not solve this problem caused by excess carbon dioxide dissolving into seawater.
What is ocean acidification?
CDR aims to reduce this natural process in which gases trap heat in Earth's atmosphere.
What is the greenhouse effect?
One of the main methods of G.E that directly removes a certain greenhouse gas from the atmosphere
What is carbon dioxide removal (CDR)?
This charcoal-like substance is produced by heating organic matter with little oxygen and can store carbon in soils for long periods of time.
What is biochar?
This strategy releases reflective particles into the stratosphere to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface.
What is stratospheric aerosol injection?
Scientists worry that some geoengineering methods could alter global rainfall patterns, leading to droughts or flooding in certain regions.
What are changes in precipitation?
Critics argue that geoengineering should complement, not replace, this practice of meeting present needs without compromising future generations.
What is sustainability?
Another main method of G.E that seeks to reflect a portion of sunlight back into the atmosphere.
What is Solar Radiation Management (SRM)?
This technology uses machines and chemical filters to remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere.
What is direct air capture?
This proposal would place large reflective objects between Earth and the Sun to reduce incoming solar radiation.
What are space mirrors?
This ethical concern suggests that the promise of geoengineering could reduce incentives to slow greenhouse gas emissions.
What is moral hazard?
Melting Arctic ice reduces Earth's albedo, causing additional warming through this type of climate process.
What are climate feedbacks?
A significant reason why G.E. is controversial.
What are moral and ethical concerns, such as "quick fix" illusions, unequal impact, or obligation to future generations?
This method speeds up a natural process by spreading crushed silicate rocks that chemically react with and store carbon dioxide.
What is enhanced weathering?
Scientists look to these natural events as evidence that particles in the atmosphere can cool Earth's climate by reflecting sunlight.
What are volcanic eruptions?
This challenge asks who should have the authority to deploy geoengineering technologies that could affect the entire planet.
What are global governance issues?
Rather than relying solely on geoengineering, many scientists advocate for reducing this measure of the environmental impact of human activities.
What is an ecological footprint?