Polar geoengineering dismissed as unimaginably expensive' and dangerous'

"Proposals to fight the impact of the climate crisis at the poles, from giant underwater curtains to scattering glass beads across the ice, have been dismissed by a group of scientists as an unimaginably expensive and dangerous distraction. Geoengineering, which includes blocking sunlight with airborne particles and thickening ice with pumped seawater, has become highly divisive among scientists. Its proponents argue that, with cuts in carbon emissions going far too slowly, exploring options for emergency brakes would be valuable."

"Rob DeConto, a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the US and one of the 42 scientists who produced the analysis, said: These geoengineering proposals are unimaginably expensive and risky for fragile polar environments. They also detract attention from the root cause of the climate crisis the unabated burning of fossil fuels, something we know how to begin addressing using established technologies. Counting on these geoengineering concepts to save the day is both dangerous and unrealistic."

Proposals to intervene in polar regions include giant underwater curtains, scattering glass beads, blocking sunlight with airborne particles, and thickening ice with pumped seawater. A group of scientists judged many polar geoengineering schemes to be unimaginably expensive and dangerously disruptive for fragile environments. The scientists concluded that the schemes address symptoms rather than the root cause of global heating and that investigating them diverts time and funding from emissions reductions. Critics countered that negatives were emphasized without comparing schemes to projected climate damages. The Arctic and Antarctic are warming faster, accelerating ice loss and sea-level rise.

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