Retooling the Planet?
As the climate crisis become ever more apparent, as new science indicates an even more serious situation, and as international climate negotiations prove disappointingly slow and unambitious, the attraction of quick, techno-fix solutions seems to be gaining ground. Geoengineering – the large-scale intentional modification of oceans, atmosphere and land to counter the effects of climate change – has over only a few years gone from the realm of science-fiction to now being discussed by established scientists, policy-makers and media. Still, most people, even those working on climate change, are largely unaware of what is going on. This report, prepared by the ETC Group for the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, outlines the politics and interests in play, and the many risks and concerns associated with geoengineering. It argues for precaution, technology assessment and the need for civil society to monitor both the technologies and those favoring them. If not, the world run a serious risk of choosing "solutions" that turn out to be new global problems