Developing countries ‘Say in the Geoengineering Debate’ should come from a sense of involvement

Geoengineering, an artificial means of solving the global warming challenge faced by the world, is getting attention and talk time in developed countries, but it appears that most developing countries are mum on the matter and probably waiting to remonstrate when it reaches a point that it affects them, with testing or deployment.

 

Concern about getting developing nations in geoengineering talks quick was submitted at the Planet Under Pressure conference that was held last month in London. A speaker called for involvement of people with the knowledge of the science and climate change challenges in the developing world to get involved in the conversation.

 

The mention was in part, intended to buoy attention on the subject especially in places like Africa. Geoengineering, after the announcement of SPICE — Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering — in 2011, by UK Scientists, its considerations as an alternative to curbing emissions to stop global warming, has leapt.

 

Geoengineering research groups are said to be emerging in India, China & Africa, and their studies in relation to how it affects them, are expected. Geoengineering is still a baby and quite controversial because of other possibilities with its procedures aside reducing excesses responsible for global warming.

 

Geoengineering is divided into two, Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). SRM is mostly spaced based, and it involves control of the amount of solar radiation that reaches the ground. Suggestions on this includes, spraying sulfate-particles in space, putting giant reflective mirrors in space and painting roofs, white.

 

CDR involves reducing the amount of CO2 entering the atmosphere, by capturing and transporting carbon dioxide from industrial processes, and burying at geological formations below the ground or at sea depths. CDR is generally considered safer than SRM, and it is also considered affordable, achievable and sustainable.

 

All of CDR and SRM procedures however, have risks and disadvantages. These disadvantages and ways to make them harmless are the purpose of studies and events that circuit geoengineering. Scientists and proponents of geoengineering understand its fragility and seek more brains in the conversation.

 

For developing nations, it is expedient to join the conversation now, since the subject is in infancy with respect to experimentation. Developing nations may desire that curbing emission deal is settled by 2020 before jumping to a ‘distraction’ from the focus, but geoengineering is evolving and may be needed even with something like a climate change deal in future.

 

Developing nations have their research and studies of how climate behaves over them, their information of trends and predictions will position geoengineering research further. A recent study on sulfate-particle injection SRM geoengineering submitted that it may lead to increased crop yields and changes in climate and weather patterns in different parts of the world.

 

Studies of this forte from climate scientists in developing countries may be necessary to add information to the growing geoengineering archive. Climate summits, conferences and symposiums around Africa and other places around the world can give some talk time to geoengineering.

 

The necessary conversation should be centered on knowledge and not hate arguments that stymie progress. Geoengineering is not considered for deployment yet, but is seen as a possibility for the burgeoning climate change challenge. For developing nations, it is an opportunity to add value with effort that will benefit the whole world.

 

Geoengineering meetings are expected this year in Africa, by the Royal Society, in collaboration with the African Academy of Science. The Solar Radiation Management Governance Initiative (SRMGI), are also expected to have a meeting in Africa. All of these are positioned to have Africa join in the important conversation.

 

It is with Africa, her pundits and the rest of the developing world to see that their academic contributions and recommendations are necessary in this warming world. For them, joining the geoengineering conversation with a sense of involvement will do much good to all.

 

By David Stephen he blogs at www.trpns.com

 

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2 COMMENTS

  1. most of d problems facing humanity, even global warming is caused by technology. I am not against technology @ all, but my fear is in d form of a question: is d solution u r looking for not going to aggravate d problem facing us? Pls do ur researches well and good luck!