Our planet is becoming increasingly affected by global warming, which is the gradual increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans. While the earth has also been subject to fluctuating periods of hot and cold weather, current evidence strongly suggests that human activity is causing global warming and that if this activity persists, it will result in permanent, negative changes to the Earth’s climate. Scientists predict that the Earth’s temperature may rise anywhere between 2.5 and 10 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the question about what to do remains controversial.
One solution may be the use of geoengineering, also known as climate engineering. There are already a vast number of geoengineering projects, ranging in size from very small to enormous, taking place or planned all over the Earth. For example, researchers at Princeton University have suggested ‘stabilization wedges’ which will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a variety of sources using new technologies. While these wedges show promise, it may take some time for the underlying technologies to be successfully developed. ‘Carbon sequestration’ is another potential solution. In this process, carbon dioxide emitted from fossil fuels is captured and then stored underground. This is a relatively simple process as it involves using trees and plants to absorb, or ‘sequester’, the carbon naturally. However, it will involve increasing forest lands and making changes to the way we farm in order to increase the amount of carbon that we are storing. One leader in this type of geoengineering project is USAID, and they are actively promoting carbon sequestration in developing countries.
Even though geoengineering projects are becoming more widespread, there appears to be an apparent lack of understanding about them amongst non-scientists. A recent survey published in the Environmental Research Letters of the Institute indicated that the general public was uncertain as to what geoengineering actually involved; in fact, some respondents felt that the problem of global warming and climate change was being blown out of proportion. Therefore, there is a need for more public awareness of the problem and possible solutions to it. In 2011, the Washington-based Bipartisan published a major report calling countries to move forward on ‘climate remediation’. Without doing this, Professor John Shepherd, chair of the Royal Society’s Working of Geoengineering, believes that current GHG emission cuts and political will are not sufficient to stop global warming.
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