Syllabus:GS III Investment Models – Science and Technology
Discuss the potential benefits and risks of geoengineering as a solution for climate change mitigation. (10 M)
Geoengineering presents ambitious solutions for addressing climate change by offering innovative approaches to mitigating global warming. However, while these interventions hold considerable promise, they also raise significant environmental concerns that must be thoroughly examined and managed.
Benefits of Geoengineering
- Rapid Reduction in Global Temperatures: Geoengineering techniques such as Solar Radiation Management (SRM) can provide swift cooling effects by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth, helping to counteract extreme weather events and abrupt climate shifts.
E.g.: Stratospheric aerosol injections mimic the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions, leading to temporary reductions in global temperatures. - Complementary to Emission Reduction Efforts: Geoengineering can serve as a supplementary approach to traditional emission reduction strategies, especially when urgent global action is needed to stabilize CO2 levels.
E.g.: Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) methods like direct air capture remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere, supporting efforts to achieve a balanced climate. - Cost-Effective Climate Intervention: Some geoengineering solutions, such as afforestation and reforestation, are economically viable and provide relatively quick results compared to large-scale decarbonization. These strategies contribute to carbon sequestration and ecosystem restoration.
E.g.: Afforestation can act as carbon sinks, regenerating ecosystems and reducing atmospheric CO2 levels at lower costs. - Temporary Solution for Delayed Emission Goals: In cases where climate targets are missed, geoengineering could serve as a temporary measure to delay severe climate impacts, giving nations time to adopt sustainable practices.
E.g.: Marine Cloud Brightening, which enhances cloud reflectivity, could protect vulnerable regions like coastal areas from rising temperatures and mitigate heatwaves or droughts. - Protection of Vulnerable Regions: Geoengineering can be deployed to safeguard regions at high risk from extreme climate impacts such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves.
E.g.: SRM projects targeted at specific areas could shield communities dependent on stable weather patterns from the adverse effects of climate change.
Risks of Geoengineering
- Environmental Disruptions: Geoengineering interventions could lead to unforeseen impacts on weather patterns and precipitation, disrupting ecosystems and agriculture.
E.g.: SRM could alter monsoon patterns, threatening millions of people in regions like South Asia who rely on seasonal rains for agriculture. - Loss of Biodiversity: Large-scale geoengineering, such as ocean fertilization, could disrupt marine ecosystems, leading to cascading effects on biodiversity and increased species loss.
E.g.: Unregulated geoengineering techniques may accelerate biodiversity decline, particularly in fragile marine environments like coral reefs. - Moral Hazard: The availability of geoengineering technologies might reduce the urgency to cut greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging over-reliance on temporary fixes rather than addressing the root causes of climate change.
E.g.: Policymakers may prioritize geoengineering solutions, delaying necessary transitions to renewable energy and sustainable practices. - Lack of Global Governance: There is currently no comprehensive international framework to regulate geoengineering practices, raising concerns about unilateral actions by powerful nations or corporations.
E.g.: The RAND report (2021) highlights the need for global governance mechanisms to prevent geopolitical conflicts and ensure equitable use of geoengineering technologies. - Irreversible Consequences: Some geoengineering techniques could lead to permanent environmental impacts, making it difficult or impossible to reverse unintended damage once deployed.
E.g.: If SRM interventions, such as stratospheric aerosol injections, are halted, there could be a rapid rebound effect, potentially exacerbating global warming.
Conclusion
Geoengineering offers significant potential as a short-term tool for mitigating climate change but also poses substantial risks that could result in long-term environmental harm. Establishing strong international governance frameworks and ensuring that geoengineering is treated as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, sustainable emission reduction efforts is essential for minimizing risks and maximizing benefits.
