Geo-engineering Technologies: Applications & Concerns

Geo-engineering is an umbrella term for various experimental technologies. It refers to deliberate, large-scale intervention carried out in the Earth’s natural systems to reverse the impacts of climate change.

Example

• Solar Radiation Modification (SRM)
• Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies

SRM: SRM techniques aim to reflect a small proportion of the Sun’s energy back into space. It includes:

• Albedo enhancement
• Space reflectors
• Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)
• Cirrus Cloud Thinning

CDR: CDR techniques aim to remove carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. It includes:

• Afforestation
• Biochar
• Bio-energy with carbon capture and sequestration
• Ambient Air Capture
• Ocean Fertilization
• Enhanced Weathering to react with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
• Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement