In a thought-provoking op-ed, prominent climate advocates Craig Segall and Baroness Bryony Worthington make a compelling case for the necessity of exploring geoengineering research as a means to address the escalating climate crisis.
The authors argue that the Earth’s climate system has proven to be more sensitive to greenhouse gas emissions than previously anticipated, and that efforts to reduce these emissions have not progressed quickly enough. As a result, the risks of catastrophic and irreversible damage are growing, yet the world lacks a comprehensive plan to manage these threats.
Segall and Worthington acknowledge that the idea of deliberately intervening in the climate system through technological means, such as reflecting sunlight or enhancing carbon capture, is a contentious and even taboo topic for some. However, they contend that refusing to consider potentially life-saving options is not moral clarity, but rather a moral failure.
The authors point out that humanity has already inadvertently “geoengineered” the planet through the careless release of greenhouse gases. Now, they argue, we must explore deliberate interventions that could buy time and head off the most severe consequences of climate change, while simultaneously accelerating the transition to clean energy and sustainable land use.
Segall and Worthington emphasize that they are not calling for the immediate deployment of any climate intervention technologies, but rather for a serious research program to develop credible options that can be carefully evaluated and, if appropriate, implemented in a safe, just, and globally inclusive manner.
They argue that shutting down this research would be a catastrophic mistake, as it would close off the path to the knowledge we need to make informed decisions, rather than being forced to act in crisis under pressure and without preparation.
The authors conclude by urging more leaders, funders, and governments to engage with this critical issue, not to replace existing climate strategies, but to complement and complete them. They assert that the time has come for a more honest conversation about the challenges ahead and the actions necessary to safeguard the future of the planet.
