Short Wave Who Should Control Earth's Thermostat?
May 21, 2021
Ariella Zabidi, a climate contributor at Shortwave, dives deep into the provocative world of solar geoengineering. She explores the ambitious yet contentious idea of artificially cooling the planet, drawing parallels with the film 'Snowpiercer.' The discussion touches on the ethical dilemmas, risks, and potential benefits of these technologies, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation, especially for low-income countries affected by climate change. Zabidi emphasizes the moral complexities of altering our environment and the spiritual connections we have to nature.
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Mount Pinatubo Eruption
- The 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption released 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide.
- This cooled the planet by 0.5 degrees Celsius for 15 months, demonstrating solar geoengineering's potential.
Continuous Spraying Needed
- Solar geoengineering requires continuous spraying of particles, not a one-time fix.
- Stopping would cause a rapid temperature spike, potentially worse than gradual warming.
Cost and Control
- Solar geoengineering is relatively cheap, potentially doable by a single wealthy nation or individual.
- This raises ethical concerns about unilateral control over a global effect.