If Geoengineering, which is the large-scale, intentional human manipulation of climate or Earth systems with the aim of mitigating the adverse effects of global warming, is really a threat to our existence on this planet, then what is the best way forward to address the irreparable damages (the global security threats associated with climate change) caused by human activities?
In this context I understand geoengineering as building structures (e.g. seawalls) to protect from Climate Change. I am not aware of any evidence, but in ´case there is then these side effects have to be valued against the impacts of Climate change. I think that impacts, if any, are localized and do not threaten 'our existence on this planet'.
Thank you for your answer @Eberhard Weber
But by Geoengineering, I mean Climate Engineering as I explained above. But how can its impacts be localized when it is the deliberate LARGE-SCALE alteration of the earth system?
May be I should add some its negative impacts (as many scientists claims) in the question description.
Thank you. Your wrote: large-scale, intentional human manipulation of climate or Earth systems with the aim of mitigating the adverse effects of global warming, which includes more than climate intervention. Still it would be helpful, if examples are provided.
Geoengineering consists of technologies proposed to reduce warming by either reflecting sunlight (solar radiation management; SRM) or reducing greenhouse gas concentrations (carbon dioxide removal; CDR). Examples of SRM proposals include cloud whitening, adding aerosols to the stratosphere, and orbiting mirrors, while CDR proposals include fertilizing the oceans with iron and various chemical mechanisms for carbon capture and storage. Injection of sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere from modified civilian or military aircraft is currently seen as the most practical and therefore most likely option. It mimics a natural process—cooling by volcanic eruptions—and would not be very expensive. It is an unproven technology and would only provide a temporary fix, buying time (20 years?) while the global economy was decarbonized and deforestation reversed. This may be all we need, given current positive trends in long-term mitigation, but every scientist who works in this field has urged extreme caution in the use of any geoengineering technology.
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