GeoEngineering

Geoengineering is the compensation for an intensified greenhouse effect by reducing amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth. It acts as another alternative to combat global warming by releasing vast amounts of sulfurous debris into the atmosphere to create a haze that would keep the planet cool.

After reading the article, i disagreed with the author views. It does not tackle the root cause of global warming and that is the excessive emission of carbon dioxide. What Geoengineering offer is a one time solution and not a full-stop to it. Plus, it does not offer feasibility and stability. In the short run, it may decrease the repercussions caused by global warming. Yet, in the long run, it may wreck more havoc to the almost irreparable atmosphere.

Taking a side step to look into the consequences of releasing vast amounts of sulfurous debris. Would it have any harmful effects especially on those that have respiratory problems? How about those that are healthy, will their respiratory systems deteriorate? And what are the varying consequences it would cause to the elderly and the young? All these problems have to be addressed first and assured, before any government should go ahead with this plan if they ever wants to.

Also, the release of sulfurous debris would have to be carried out indefinitely, would it not be an additional burden on everyone as I am sure the cost would be passed on to the civilians. The cost tag can range from anything between a few hundred million dollars and a couple of billion dollars a year, this is no small sum especially for smaller countries or those that have no natural resources.

Thus, would it not be more rational for the government to invest these large sum of money into the R&D sector, whereby research can be carried out to develop more energy-efficient machines or an alternative for fuel can be developed. How about an air purifier that can remove emissions of carbon dioxide? As rational beings, we should look at the root cause and tackle it straight there. No miracles would be able to save us if carbon emissions reach new high with each consecutive year. Hence the need and urgency required to tackle global warming and stop beating about the bush by coming up with alternative solutions that promise little results.

- Victor