Climate Engineering: Ethical and Environmental Implications
Simran
Professor, Department of Commerce, NIILM University, Kaithal
Abstract
Climate engineering, also known as geoengineering, refers to the deliberate large-scale intervention in Earth’s climate system with the aim of mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. As global temperatures rise and conventional mitigation strategies lag behind, interest in these technologies is growing. Climate engineering is broadly classified into two categories: Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM), each with distinct methodologies, objectives, and risk profiles. While proponents argue that these approaches may offer a critical backup plan in case of climate emergency, critics warn against their uncertain long-term impacts and ethical implications. This paper explores both the environmental and ethical dimensions of climate engineering. It analyzes key techniques under CDR and SRM, potential environmental disruptions, governance gaps, and moral challenges, including issues of consent, intergenerational justice, and equity. Real-world case studies such as the SPICE project in the UK, ocean fertilization by the Haida Nation in Canada, and Iceland’s CarbFix initiative are examined to highlight the practical, legal, and societal dilemmas posed by geoengineering. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this study argues that any advancement in climate engineering must be guided by transparent, inclusive governance frameworks that prioritize precaution, sustainability, and justice.
Keywords: Climate Engineering, Geoengineering, Environmental Ethics, Climate Governance, Moral Hazard, Intergenerational Justice
Impact Statement
Climate engineering, or geoengineering, represents one of the most controversial frontiers in addressing global climate change. Its potential to deliberately alter Earth’s systems through technologies such as solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal carries profound ethical and environmental implications. The impact of exploring this domain lies not only in its scientific possibilities but also in its ability to provoke urgent discourse on humanity’s relationship with nature, responsibility for future generations, and the governance of powerful climate interventions.
The study of climate engineering’s ethical dimensions challenges societies to weigh the risks of unintended consequences against the dangers of inaction in the face of accelerating climate change. It raises critical questions of justice, equity, and consent, particularly regarding the disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations and ecosystems. Meanwhile, environmental implications highlight the uncertainty of large-scale interventions, the possibility of ecosystem disruption, and the difficulty of predicting long-term planetary outcomes.
By critically examining these issues, research on climate engineering advances global awareness of the delicate balance between technological innovation and environmental stewardship. It fosters interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, ethicists, and policymakers, ultimately shaping more informed, equitable, and sustainable climate strategies. The impact of this work thus extends beyond academic debate, influencing climate policy, international law, and collective global responsibility for the planet’s future.
About Author
Dr Simran is working as Professor, Department of commerce, NIILM University, kaithal She has 13 years of rich experience in leadership, curriculum development and teaching at school and higher education level. Her area of research is accounting, taxation, human resource management and teaching-learning. She has attended more than 70 conferences, seminars and workshops. She has presented her research in various National and International Conferences. She has been awarded with 8 prestigious Awards. Dr. Simran is working as Professor, Department of commerce, NIILM University, kaithal
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