Into the Great Wide Open: The Potential Promise and Perils of Climate Geoengineering
Wil Burns, Co-Executive Director, Forum for Climate Engineering Assessment, American University
March 30, Thursday, DuPont-Ball Library 25L
Seminar, 4-5 pm
Informal Dialogue, 5 – 5:45pm
According to recent scientific analyses, the world is on course for continued warming for centuries after emissions are stabilized, with possible increases of 2.7-3.5 degrees Celcius above pre-industrial levels by 2100. This could have disastrous consequences for human institutions and natural ecosystems, including massive sea level rise, substantial diminution of biodiversity, and potentially catastrophic declines in agricultural production.
As a consequence, increasing attention has been devoted to a series of potential responses named climate geoengineering. These methods include ocean iron fertilization, marine cloud albedo enhancement, and stratospheric sulfate injection, to name a few. While these schemes could help the world combat climate change, they also could have serious negative ramifications, including alteration of marine ecosystems and threats to food security.
This presentation will discuss some of the most widely discussed climate geoengineering options, as well as potential governance of such technologies.
After the general Q&A, Dr. Burns will stay to engage in an “informal” dialogue with interested audience, especially with students who want to chat more about science/policy interfacing in the academic, governmental, and NGO settings and careers.
Please invite students and colleagues who would be interested in this event!
Contact Dr. Song Gao for more information at [email protected]