Geoengineering Experiments: Balancing Climate Solutions and Risks

Understanding Geoengineering: A Climate Intervention Strategy

Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions in Earth's systems aimed at mitigating climate change. This field is controversial, offering potential benefits but also posing significant risks. Let's explore the key aspects of geoengineering.

Types of Geoengineering

Geoengineering can be broadly categorized into two main types: Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

Solar Radiation Management (SRM)

SRM aims to reduce the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Some methods include:

• Stratospheric aerosol injection: This involves injecting reflective particles into the stratosphere.
• Marine cloud brightening: This technique increases the reflectivity of clouds.
• Space-based reflectors: Mirrors are placed in space to deflect sunlight.

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

CDR focuses on extracting CO2 from the atmosphere. Key methods are:

• Biological methods:
  • Afforestation/reforestation: Planting trees to absorb CO2.
  • Soil carbon sequestration: Enhancing carbon storage in soils.
  • Ocean fertilization: Promoting CO2 uptake by marine organisms.
  • Seaweed cultivation: Farming seaweed to absorb CO2.
• Geological methods:
  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS): Capturing CO2 from industrial sources and storing it underground.
  • Mineralization: CO2 reacts with rocks to form stable minerals.
• Technological methods:
  • Direct air capture (DAC): Capturing CO2 directly from the air.
  • Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS): Using biomass for energy and capturing CO2 during combustion.

Potential Benefits of Geoengineering

Some potential advantages include reducing global temperatures and mitigating climate change impacts. Geoengineering might offer a temporary solution while efforts are made to reduce emissions, and some CDR methods can help achieve net-zero emissions goals.

Potential Risks and Concerns

Geoengineering poses several risks, such as:

• Unintended consequences: Potential impacts on weather patterns, ecosystems, and human health.
• Moral hazard: The possibility of discouraging emissions reduction efforts.
• Governance challenges: Issues related to decision-making and risk/benefit distribution.
• Ethical concerns: The morality of manipulating Earth's climate system.

India's Perspective on Geoengineering

India is adopting a cautious approach, emphasizing the need for research and policy development. There is a focus on studying SRM impacts on the Indian monsoon, with concerns about potential disruptions to agriculture and water resources. The call for a national geoengineering policy is growing.

Ongoing Research in India

Indian researchers are conducting modeling studies on SRM impacts and exploring ocean fertilization. Key questions include assessing the effectiveness of different techniques, understanding environmental, social, and economic risks, developing governance frameworks for fair deployment, and considering ethical implications.