One of my issues with geo-engineering is that I am being asked to put my
trust in technologies I don't understand. (This issue about lack of trust
between experts and the public is well established in the literature, and to
some extent explains public disengagement with the climate change debate).
Second, it further alienates me from my world. In towns the ground I walk on
is alien to me - I don't know of what it is made, what pipes, cables etc lie
underneath my feet. The same in many of the buildings which comprise the
built environment. Your proposals extend this alienation to the atmosphere.
Third, it is just an extension of the belief that humans shall have dominion
over the earth - which created the physical and social horror show that is
modernity. I use those strong terms to counter the Panglossian philosophy
used to legitimate these large scale interventions.
Cheers
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for the Crisis Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Nissen
Sent: 13 February 2011 10:38
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Radio programme
Hi Bob,
I found it interesting and thought-provoking. I am trying to make
another revolution in thought: not about reducing emissions but in
getting people to accept the need for geoengineering, particularly solar
radiation management for cooling purposes. Geoengineering has always
been treated very negatively: either as very dangerous or as dealing
with a very dangerous situation. I think one could put it in a positive
light - e.g. how nice to have beautiful sunsets produced by a bit of
stratospheric haze which is saving the polar bears. When I looked into
it, I found that the two leading contenders for geoengineering
(stratospheric aerosols and marine cloud brightening) are
extraordinarily benign - both based on natural processes which have been
well studied.
Do any of you feel capable of being positive towards geoengineering?
What is holding you back? Is it a strong negative emotion? Could this
be dispelled?
Cheers,
John
---
On 11/02/2011 15:59, Bob Ward wrote:
> There was a very interesting programme on Radio 4 last night, In Denial
> - Climate on the Couch, examining people's attitudes to taking personal
> action to reduce their carbon footprints - you can hear it here:
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00y92mn
>
>
> Bob Ward
>
> Policy and Communications Director
> Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
> London School of Economics and Political Science
> Houghton Street
> London WC2A 2AE
>
> http://www.lse.ac.uk/grantham
>
> Tel. +44 (0) 20 7106 1236
> Mob. +44 (0) 7811 320346
>
>
> Please access the attached hyperlink for an important electronic
communications disclaimer: http://lse.ac.uk/emailDisclaimer
|