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Geoengineering: re-making climate for profit or humanitarian intervention?
- Source :
-
Development and change [Dev Change] 2012; Vol. 43 (1), pp. 253-70. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Climate engineering, or geoengineering, refers to large-scale climate interventions to lower the earth's temperature, either by blocking incoming sunlight or removing carbon dioxide from the biosphere. Regarded as ‘technofixes’ by critics, these strategies have evoked concern that they would extend the shelf life of fossil-fuel driven socio-ecological systems for far longer than they otherwise would, or should, endure. A critical reading views geoengineering as a class project that is designed to keep the climate system stable enough for existing production systems to continue operating. This article first examines these concerns, and then goes on to envision a regime driven by humanitarian agendas and concern for vulnerable populations, implemented through international development and aid institutions. The motivations of those who fund research and implement geoengineering techniques are important, as the rationale for developing geoengineering strategies will determine which techniques are pursued, and hence which ecologies are produced. The logic that shapes the geoengineering research process could potentially influence social ecologies centuries from now.
- Subjects :
- Climate
Environmental Health economics
Environmental Health education
Environmental Health history
History, 20th Century
History, 21st Century
Climate Change economics
Climate Change history
Conservation of Natural Resources economics
Conservation of Natural Resources history
Conservation of Natural Resources legislation & jurisprudence
Engineering economics
Engineering education
Engineering history
Environmental Monitoring economics
Environmental Monitoring history
Environmental Monitoring legislation & jurisprudence
Geography economics
Geography education
Geography history
Research economics
Research education
Research history
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0012-155X
- Volume :
- 43
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Development and change
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22662349
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.2011.01744.x