What is geoengineering?

Geoengineering refers to the large-scale manipulation of the Earth's natural systems in order to counteract climate change. There are two main types of geoengineering techniques:

1. Solar Radiation Management (SRM): This technique aims to reflect a portion of the sun's energy back into space, thereby reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth's surface and mitigating global warming. One proposed method of SRM is to inject sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere to create a temporary cooling effect.

2. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): This technique involves removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the oceans, soil, or geological formations. Methods of CDR include afforestation, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS), and direct air capture.

While geoengineering has the potential to help combat climate change, it also raises a number of ethical, environmental, and social concerns. Some critics argue that geoengineering could have unintended consequences, such as disrupting regional weather patterns or causing harm to ecosystems.

As of now, geoengineering is still largely in the experimental stages, and more research is needed to fully understand its potential risks and benefits. It is important to approach geoengineering cautiously and consider it as a last resort option in the fight against climate change.