What is geoengineering?

Before focusing on a particular method I first want to give a brief overview over geoengineering. It is a frequently-used and yet very vague term. But what exactly does geoengineering mean? What methods are described as geoengineering? Although there is no standardised definition for the term one can find many attempts to define it. David W. Keith gives a short and nicely illustated overview over what is implied in the term ‘geoengineering’: ‘Geoengineering is planetary-scale environmental engineering, particularly engineering aimed at counteracting the undesired side effects of other human activities’ (Keith 2001: 420). This comprises all actions that intent to have an effect on environmental conditions and that operate at a large (i.e. global) scale. In most cases specific sophisticated technology plays an important role in realising a geoengineering method. However the distinction between geoengineering methods and other methods that do not meet both of the two mentioned conditions is not always clear.

The term geoengineering was first used in the early 1970s, as scientists realised that using fossil fuels has an impact on our environment and climate. They tried to inject CO₂ into the deep ocean. The term became then more popular in the 1990s in discussions about climate change. (Keith 2000: 248)

Geoengineering focuses on different aspects that could help to slow or stop global warming e.g. reducing the solar radiation by using giant mirrors in space, fine particles in the atmosphere or artificial clouds. Other methods focus on decreasing the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere by enhancing oceans sinks through fertilization with iron, terrestial sinks or biological sinks e.g. forests.

There are various ways in which scientists try to find a solution to global environmental change. Which methods are feasible and can actually be successful remains to be seen.

Literature:


      D. W. Keith (2001). Geoengineering. Nature, 409: 420.

PDF available online:

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~keith/papers/37.Keith.2001.Geoengineering.e.pdf


David W. Keith (2001). Geoengineering and carbon management: Is there a meaningful distinction? Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference. D. Williams, B. Durie, P. McMullan, C. Paulson and A. Smith eds., CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Australia, p. 1192-1197.

PDF available online:

http://people.ucalgary.ca/~keith/papers/41.Keith.2001.GeogineeeringAndCarbonManagment.f.pdf