Despite decades of warnings and international climate agreements, global carbon emissions are still rising unabated. However, geoengineering, also known as climate engineering, could hold the key to our battle against climate change even though it is expensive and not a quick fix.
Geoengineering broadly involves two methods for addressing climate change: carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management. Carbon capture, direct air capture, and accelerated weathering are ways to eliminate carbon dioxide while cloud brightening, injecting aerosols into the clouds, and solar shades are means to manage solar radiation.
However, geoengineering remains a controversial subject because many fear the unpredictable consequences of manipulating nature in such a manner. This has also sparked concerns about potential negative consequences on the environment.
All of this notwithstanding, the planet could continue to experience a sharp rise in temperature in the decades to come. In this regard, Casey Handmer, the founder of Terraform Industries, has emphasized the need for geoengineering as a crucial solution to the climate crisis.
Terraform Industries is working towards producing cheap natural gas from sunlight and air – an ambitious project called gigascale atmospheric hydrocarbon synthesis. Handmer holds a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Caltech and has several published papers and articles on various topics. His efforts involve cutting the net CO2 flux from crust to the atmosphere as quickly as possible.
Enhanced weathering holds promise as a means of engineering a natural process to remove atmospheric carbon more effectively. As a result, mafic rocks, which contain significant amounts of magnesium and iron, are mined, crushed, and then left exposed. The natural chemistry that removes carbon from the atmosphere takes over from there. Basalt is a common and widespread mafic rock that can be used for this purpose. This shows how geoengineering can help by working with nature.
In conclusion, geoengineering is an expensive yet viable solution to tackle the challenge of carbon emissions, and its potentials are worth exploring. Nevertheless, it is important to take into account both the cost and the possible negative effects on the environment. As we seek to resolve this climate crisis, we must be mindful of the collective responsibility that we all have to combat climate change and safeguard the environment.
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
