People want climate left as is
A beer- filled Hampshire pub conversation about climate- manipulating mirrors in space started the ball rolling for Massey University’s latest world- leading research.
Over the past two years researchers from Massey and the University of Southampton have surveyed more than 2000 people and interviewed 30 in depth to garner public reaction to the idea of climate engineering.
Their research is published in today’s Nature Climate Change journal and lead author, Palmerston North- based Professor Malcolm Wright, says the results could prove controversial.
The conclusions were clear – hardly anyone wants mirrors in space, hardly anyone wants particles pumped into the air to reduce solar radiation, and most people don’t want any form of climate manipulation developed.
Prof Wright said this went in the face of many researchers who were increasingly seeing climate manipulation as an option to explore.
‘‘ There’s a lot of people arguing now that trying to control CO emissions has failed. The argument is that big engineering approaches are needed to reduce the effects of climate change.
‘‘ Some of the ideas around are outrageously wacky, and a lot of them would be the engineering feats of our time if they were developed.
‘‘ Because we’ve never really done anything like climate engineering before, there are risks. It could have unknown effects to try to reverse what is happening with climate change and I think it’s highly likely that if we proceed with it, there will be different techniques used ferent parts of the world.
‘‘ I think ideas around biochar and air capture are highly likely to be experimented with in parts of the world within five years.’’
Biochar – using charcoal as a soil amendment – was one approach that received positive feedback from the public and Prof Wright said it was because it was seen as a natural way to solve the problem.
‘‘ It was a striking pattern really. Interventions such as putting mirrors in space or fine particles into the stratosphere are not well received. More natural processes of cloud brightening or enhanced weathering are less likely to raise objections, but the public react best to creating biochar or capturing carbon directly from the air.’’
Co- author Professor Damon Teagle of the University of Southampton said even the concept
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‘‘ There is a pressing need to consult the public and understand their concerns before policy decisions are made.’’
The results of the study would help inform what budding climate engineers chose to focus their research on, he said.
Co- author and Palmerston Northbased Massey PhD student Pam Feetham said the responses had surprisingly few variations, except for a slight tendency for older respondents to view climate engineering more favourably.
Prof Wright has a theory for that, although he is quick to point out that it is just that.
‘‘ I think it could be because older people want something done – they want to leave the world knowing it will be a good place to live in for their grandchildren.’’
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