Side effects of geoengineering solutions

Geoengineering suggestions have been criticized heavily, in particular as they try to cure the symptoms of global climate change and not its causes.

• In the case of engineering radiation it might be possible to limit global temperature increase, but acidification of oceans as a consequence of increasing CO2 levels would not be stopped.
• Another problem is the long lifetime of atmospheric CO₂ that would make it necessary to sustain geoengineering for periods of hundreds to thousands of years if no other technical way to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere were to be found.
• Political and psychological concern exists that considering geoengineering might distract or prevent people from studying and investing in options to reduce the emission of GHGs.
• International law regulations will be necessary
• One of the first questions to be raised: Who's hand on the thermostate?

Literature

Robock, Alan, 2008:  20 reasons why geoengineering may be a bad idea.  Bull. Atomic Scientists, 64, No. 2, 14-18, 59, doi:10.2968/064002006

Royal Society: Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty