An earth systems engineering perspective on geoengineering

Abstract

The growing recognition of the inadequacies of the Kyoto Protocol and the ongoing climate change negotiating process has led to increasing interest in large-scale technology modification of earth systsems – ‘geoengineering’ – as a response. Although it is important to identify alternatives, technological and otherwise, to help mitigate the effects of, and adapt to, climate change, geoengineering techniques as currently understood are naïve and potentially very risky. An earth systems engineering and management perspective enables a deeper understanding of the challenges raised by technological solutions, and suggests means by which geoengineering approaches might be modified to be both more effective and less risky.