Geo-engineering climate change

About this book

"This book is the first to present a detailed and critical appraisal of the geo-scale engineering interventions that have been proposed as potential measures to counter the devastation of run-away global warming. Early chapters set the scene with a discussion of projections of future CO2 emissions and techniques for predicting climate tipping points. Subsequent chapters then review proposals to limit CO2 concentrations through improved energy technologies, removal of CO2 from the atmosphere, and stimulated uptake by the oceans. Schemes for solar radiation management involving the reflection of sunlight back into space and using artificially brightened clouds and stratospheric aerosols are also assessed. Pros and cons of the various schemes are thoroughly examined - throwing light on the passionate public debate about their safety. Written by a group of the world's leading authorities on the subject, this comprehensive reference is essential reading for researchers and government policy makers at Copenhagen and beyond"--Provided by publisher. "If anthropogenic carbon emissions continue unabated and global temperatures continue to rise, large-scale geo-engineering projects may prove our last hope for controlling the Earth's climate. This book is the first to present a detailed and critical appraisal of the geo-scale engineering interventions that have been proposed as potential measures to defeat the devastation of runaway global warming. Early chapters set the scene by presenting a historical and philosophical overview of global warming and by discussing projections of future CO2 emissions and techniques for predicting climate tipping points. Subsequent chapters then review proposals to limit CO2 concentrations through improved energy technologies, direct removal of CO2 from the atmosphere and stimulation of enhanced CO2 uptake by the oceans. Schemes for solar radiation management involving the reflection of sunlight back into space and using artificially brightened, low-level marine stratus clouds and stratospheric aerosols are also described and assessed. With some technologies already at prototype-testing stage, the pros and cons of the various schemes are thoroughly examined - throwing light on the passionate public debate about their safety. Written by a group of the world's leading authorities on the subject, this comprehensive reference is essential reading for researchers and government policy makers at Copenhagen and beyond"--Provided by publisher.