What Is Climate Engineering?
Climate engineering, or geoengineering, is the large-scale, deliberate intervention in the Earth's natural systems to counteract climate change. The proposals fall into two main categories. The first is Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), which aims to tackle
the root cause of warming by pulling existing CO2 out of the atmosphere. This includes familiar ideas like planting vast forests, as well as high-tech methods like Direct Air Capture (DAC) machines that filter CO2 and store it underground. The second, and far more controversial, category is Solar Radiation Management (SRM). SRM aims to cool the planet by reflecting a small fraction of sunlight back into space, essentially creating an artificial sunshade. This doesn't remove greenhouse gases but seeks to mask their warming effect.
The Promise: A Planetary Thermostat?
Proponents of SRM argue it could be a fast-acting tool to lower global temperatures if the world overshoots its climate goals. Methods like stratospheric aerosol injection propose spraying tiny reflective particles, such as sulfur dioxide, into the upper atmosphere, mimicking the cooling effect of large volcanic eruptions. The appeal is its potential speed; unlike emissions cuts, which take time to affect temperatures, SRM could theoretically cool the planet within months of deployment. For regions most vulnerable to heatwaves, studies suggest the benefits of cooling could be significant, potentially reducing heat-induced mortality in hotter, poorer parts of the world. This has led some to view it as a potential emergency brake to prevent catastrophic tipping points while society transitions away from fossil fuels.
The Peril: A Pandora's Box of Risks
The risks of solar geoengineering are monumental and largely unknown. Critics warn that tampering with the global climate system is incredibly dangerous. Computer models, while just simulations, suggest SRM could drastically alter global weather patterns, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of the Indian monsoon, a lifeline for agriculture and billions of people. One major fear is "termination shock": if a geoengineering system were deployed and then suddenly stopped, global temperatures could rebound with terrifying speed. Furthermore, SRM does nothing to stop ocean acidification, which is caused by excess CO2 dissolving in seawater. There are also immense ethical and governance challenges. Who gets to control the planet's thermostat? A decision by one nation could have disastrous unintended consequences for another, risking geopolitical conflict.
Why The Call for Caution Now?
The debate around geoengineering is intensifying because, despite global climate agreements, emissions continue to rise and the impacts of warming are becoming more severe. This has pushed some researchers to explore SRM as a last-resort option. However, the scientific community is deeply divided. Many researchers and institutions are calling for a moratorium on deployment and even on large-scale outdoor experiments until the risks are better understood. The central worry is the "moral hazard": the fear that the mere possibility of a technological fix will reduce the urgency to cut greenhouse gas emissions—the only permanent solution. The consensus is that any research must be transparent, globally governed, and must not distract from the primary goal of decarbonisation.
What Could This Mean for India?
For India, the stakes could not be higher. The country is already experiencing the destabilising effects of climate change on the monsoon, with more extreme and erratic rainfall events. Studies on how SRM might affect the Indian monsoon are inconclusive and concerning. While some models suggest it could potentially moderate extreme rainfall, others indicate it could lead to a drier monsoon over large parts of the country, threatening water supplies and crop yields. The unpredictable nature of these interventions means that a technology deployed to solve a global problem could inadvertently create a regional catastrophe, making international governance and careful, region-specific study absolutely essential before any steps are considered.
