In recent years, scientists have explored the concept of geoengineering to alter the climate, particularly in the rapidly warming Arctic region. Proposed methods include thickening sea ice artificially, fertilizing the ocean with iron, and releasing particles to reflect sunlight and mitigate warming. However, a new study by researchers following COP28 in Dubai has concluded that these ideas are impractical and could lead to significant environmental harm.
Published in the journal Frontiers in Science, the study examined five advanced geoengineering proposals for the polar regions and found them all to be unfeasible and potentially damaging. The researchers emphasized the need for a sustained, long-term commitment to addressing climate change, debunking the notion of quick fixes.
Lead author Helen Amanda Fricker, a professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, highlighted the immense challenges posed by the scale of ice sheets, underscoring the impracticality of certain strategies like extracting basal water from glaciers. The collaborative research meticulously assessed the viability, costs, governance, and adverse effects of geoengineering approaches.
Concerns were raised about the broader repercussions of localized geoengineering efforts, with Julienne Stroeve from the University of Manitoba cautioning against unintended consequences. While some, like astrophysics professor Steve Desch from Arizona State University, advocate for exploring multiple solutions including geoengineering, others like Greg Henry, a geography professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia, advocate for prioritizing decarbonization efforts due to the uncertainties and risks associated with geoengineering projects.
The study’s findings underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to climate action, emphasizing the urgency of reducing carbon emissions as the primary focus. While some see potential in limited geoengineering experiments, the overall consensus points towards prioritizing sustainable, long-term solutions over risky and costly geoengineering endeavors.