Climate & Geoengineering

Geoengineering is the intentional, large-scale technological manipulation of the Earth’s systems, often discussed as a techno-fix for combating climate change. Climate geoengineering technologies can be divided into three broad areas: so-called solar radiation management (reflecting sunlight to space), greenhouse gas removal and sequestration and weather modification.

Geoengineering can refer to a wide range of techniques, including: blasting sulphate particles into the stratosphere or 'whitening' clouds to reflect the sun’s rays; dumping iron particles in the oceans to nurture CO2 -absorbing plankton; firing silver iodide into clouds to produce rain or genetically engineering crops so their foliage can better reflect sunlight.

ETC Group opposes geoengineering and other false solutions to climate change (e.g., proprietary, genetically-engineered 'climate-ready' crops ) and supports peasant-led agroecological responses to the climate crisis.

Research shows that mass seaweed plantations pose a major threat to marine ecosystems and are unlikely to capture or permanently store significant quantities of carbon. 20 Sep 2023
Esquema de geoingeniería solar, de la página de Sola Geoengineering Non-Use Agreement
Overshoot Commission report endorses unproven carbon removal technology, opens door to solar geoengineering 14 Sep 2023
Industrial seaweed will not cool the climate or save nature 14 Sep 2023
Participants from the People's Summit protest against neocolonialism during the Africa Climate Summit
Carbon Credits and Dangerous New Technologies in Africa 13 Sep 2023
Flyer repeating event details in text
Join civil society event at Bonn climate change "intersessionals" 7 Jun 2023
What’s missing on digitalisation in the Commission on the Status of Women's CSW67 Zero Draft 8 Mar 2023
Further tests will not be permitted, say Mexican authorities 17 Jan 2023
Profit driven experiments reveal how quickly solar geoengineering research can lead to deployment 11 Jan 2023
Geoengineering comprises a set of technologies that include interventions on land, in the oceans, or in the atmosphere. 3 Nov 2022