Truely A Last Resort
While the need for geoengineering is still far off, we need to do all the research we can. The idea that humans are thinking about purposefully changing Earth’s climate is scary. While, according to this article, humans are the cause of most climate change in the first place, that was inadvertent and not done with the intent to change the climate. The climate is a very complex thing that has not been the topic of very much research. Going into a geoengineering project blind, so to speak, is not very bright. Laws need to be put in place regulating the private sector to only research and not actual deployment and the international community needs to come together to work on this issue since it is an international problem.
While I fully support the research needed for geoengineering, I think it should be used only as a very last resort. Humans trying to fix a human-made problem by constructing a human-made solution seems to me like the phrase two wrongs don’t make a right. However, having a last resort would make many of us feel more secure and would give us time to come up with other solutions. Research on geoengineering should absolutely not take the place of research and funds being used to reduce emissions. Reducing a problem we created is definitely the better of the two options, even if it hasn’t been all that successful.
Comments
I agree, the thought of purposely altering the climate is very scary to me because all of the potential consequences. However it does make me feel better that we have a back up plan if necessary. It will be interesting to see the impact that the green-movement makes on carbon dioxide emissions and climate change.
Posted by: Liz K. | April 30, 2009 5:40 PM
I am glad that there is thought before such drastics measures are to be taken. Although I do not agree with geoengineering, I apprecite the people who are doing the research. I am interested in hearing and reading about our global issues even if I do not agree. Research gives people like me a better understanding and if geoengineering of another type of "global warming cure" is out there, I am up for hearing it especially if lots of research has been involved.
Posted by: Tanna C. | May 3, 2009 1:35 AM
This isn't a quick fix for sure. The climate is constantly in flux and to stand confidant that our "fix" will actually fix anything is a stand we should take humbly.
We should observe how nature deals with these problems and then enhance what we find. Not come up with an artificial solution to natures problems.
Posted by: Jerry | May 31, 2009 3:33 PM