Don’t expect technology to solve climate change

Such an approach overlooks the root of the problem, says Jocelyne Bourgon.

Preventing an acceleration of climate changes and ensuring that the planet is on a sustainable human trajectory are the greatest challenges human beings face in this early part of the 21st century. Humans tend to assume that when a problem reaches critical proportions, a solution will be found. Or that new technology will resolve the problem. This is a dangerous assumption in the case of climate changes.

And some scientists believe it, too. Geo-engineering research is exploring how the Earth’s systems could be manipulated to reverse the damages caused by humans.

Cambridge University has a Center for Climate Repair. Researchers there want to deploy “space sails” to deflect heat. Last summer, Harvard University announced that a “stratospheric controlled perturbation experiment” will be conducted in the coming months. A few kilograms of particles will be dropped in the stratosphere to conduct simulation on how this may affect climate changes. Eventually, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to decide where, when and how many particles need to be dropped to cool down the planet.

The capabilities for drones and AI computer-controlled cockpits already exist. The petroleum industry and the military have a keen interest in such research. In May 2019 at a UN assembly meeting, Saudi Arabia and the U.S., the two most prominent producers of oil and gas, opposed regulating geo-engineering.

These experiments entail scientific, social and political risks.

Humans have the power to transform the physical world on a massive scale.

This does not mean that our understanding of world-scale phenomena and our wisdom are commensurate with our technological capabilities. Having the technological capacity to affect the climate of the planet and making wise use of technological capabilities are two very different things. Public concerns in the face of extreme climate changes, combined with ignorance, arrogance and technological might are a potent mix that could set the world on a path with irreversible consequences.

What ethics standards will guide actions about engineering the climate of the planet? Low cost geo-engineering options may make it irresistible for some countries to attempt to influence climate changes in their favour. Interventions by some would inevitably lead to counter-reactions by others. The president of the U.S. recently mused about using atomic bombs to deter hurricane formation. The potential for climate warfare in the coming years is very real.

What if reducing heat in Australia leads to increased heat in Europe? Who will regulate that? There is a real likelihood that the most powerful countries will use the technology for their advantage, to the detriment of others. And since this technology will not reduce CO2 emissions but rather block the sun, it means emissions will continue to rise, which will bring more countries to use the technology, with no end in sight.

The idea of geo-engineering provides a false sense of reassurance that it’s possible to continue generating CO2 emissions without restraint because there will be technological solutions. It avoids addressing the root causes of climate changes and circumvents fundamental questions about the way we live and the never-ending appetite for economic growth.