EU advised to halt solar geoengineering by scientists
The European Commission’s scientific advisers have issued a joint opinion calling for a moratorium across the EU on efforts to artificially cool Earth through solar geoengineering. This includes controversial technologies used to reflect sunlight back into space, primarily by sending reflective particles into the atmosphere or by brightening clouds.
What is Solar Geoengineering?
Solar geoengineering refers to the large-scale technological intervention in the Earth’s climate system with the aim of mitigating the effects of global warming. The most widely discussed methods involve injecting reflective particles into the stratosphere, mimicking the way volcanic eruptions temporarily cool the planet by spewing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere.
Concerns Over Solar Geoengineering
The European Commission’s scientific advisers have raised several concerns over the use of solar geoengineering. Firstly, there is insufficient scientific evidence to show that these technologies can actually prevent climate change. Secondly, large-scale experiments could do more harm than good, including changing rainfall patterns or impacting food production and solar energy generation.
Potential Risks
The GCSA opinion highlights several potential risks associated with solar geoengineering. These include:
- Changing rainfall patterns: Solar geoengineering could disrupt global precipitation patterns, leading to droughts in some areas and floods in others.
- Impacting food production: By altering the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface, solar geoengineering could reduce crop yields and exacerbate food shortages.
- Solar energy generation: Large-scale deployment of solar geoengineering technologies could interfere with the operation of solar panels and other renewable energy systems.
The Case Against Solar Geoengineering
The European Commission’s scientific advisers argue that solar geoengineering merely attempts to tackle the symptoms rather than the root causes of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, are heating the planet. Trying to artificially cool Earth does nothing to stop this pollution from building up.
International Response
Facing the prospect of more rogue experiments, lawmakers are under pressure to craft stronger international rules. The governing body of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity adopted restrictions on large-scale geoengineering in 2010, but it exempts small-scale experiments. Now, the European Commission’s scientific advisers recommend a more explicit EU-wide moratorium.
Future Research
The European Commission should assess new research on solar geoengineering every five to 10 years, its scientific advisers say. This will ensure that any potential benefits of these technologies can be weighed against their risks and limitations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the European Commission’s scientific advisers have called for a moratorium across the EU on efforts to artificially cool Earth through solar geoengineering. While some argue that these technologies show promise, others caution that they are far from mature and may do more harm than good. The European Commission should continue to assess new research on solar geoengineering while taking a cautious approach to its deployment.
Recommendations
Based on the opinion of the GCSA and EGE, we recommend:
- Establishing a moratorium: A EU-wide moratorium on large-scale solar geoengineering experiments and deployment.
- Assessing new research: Regular review of new research on solar geoengineering every five to 10 years.
- Strengthening international rules: International cooperation to establish stronger rules and regulations on solar geoengineering.
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