Is Climate Changing Our Magic Bullet?

by: Alexandre Rosillo Vorsin

Climate Change is everywhere. No matter if in the media, school, or politics, everyone is talking about it. Some even switch to green electricity, give waste separation a try, or reduce their meat consumption — many of us are really trying to change our behavior, but let’s have a look at the big picture: the global CO₂-emissions:

The data in the graph indicates that CO2 emissions are still rising. Against the background of this knowledge, many people are, understandably, doubting if we’ll even halve the amount of emissions, much less get them to zero.

Out of this dilemma, an entire research field evolved which has found a detour to this problem. It is called “Climate Engineering,” also known as Geoengineering. The concept aims to mitigate the consequences of our wasteful-lifestyle through technical interventions into our climate system, all without actually having to reduce our emissions.

The interventions can be roughly grouped into two categories.

1.   Solar Radiation Management:

These types of interventions try to reflect the solar radiation. As a result, the earth won’t heat up as much, and the increase in temperature through climate change can be compensated. Some possible technologies that implement this strategy are a big reflective material between the earth and sun or reflective aerosols into the atmosphere.

2.   Carbon Dioxide Removal:

On the other hand, we simply remove carbon dioxide emissions that are already in our environment and store them in carbon reservoirs. This can be done by planting trees or by constructing big facilities which filter the CO₂ out of the atmosphere.

Does that mean we will have a free ticket to endlessly emit CO2? No, especially not with SRM-technologies, since only reflecting the radiation wouldn’t lower the CO₂-concentration. Therefore, effects like the acidification of the oceans would continue.

Furthermore, computer simulations of an SRM-measure predict that our wind and water circulation will dramatically change. In some areas, droughts, and in others, flooding will become even more common.

In addition, we would become dependent on the usage of SRM-technologies due to the constantly high CO₂ concentration. If we suddenly decided to stop using this technology, the temperature would increase dramatically and our ecosystems would be unable to adapt.

Can CDR-technologies offer more? They bring other challenges. CDR requires a lot of energy and money. Not a good combination. If we would be emitting more CO₂ than removed through the facility, it would be counter-productive. That it’s 3 times as expensive as normal emission reduction measures, doesn’t make it more appealing, too.

It is unlikely that Climate Engineering will play a crucial role in fighting climate change. This statement can, on one hand, be disappointing; but on the other, it can be a new source of motivation. If we recognize that it all depends on us, we can start thinking about optimizing areas in our own life.

This is the carbon footprint of an average UK household. The biggest potential for improvement lies behind the two areas that make up more than 50% of it all: Recreation & Leisure and Food & Catering.

A vast portion of your CO2-emissions in your free time are caused only in a short time – during your holidays. Not for the majority of the time, but at the beginning and the end – when you use transportation the most. Flying, especially,  emits amounts that can easily reach up to one CO2 per person. So instead of travelling around the globe, you could try to explore your continent (preferably by train or bus). Europe, but also North America, can offer everything from giant metropoles to beautiful nature, and most of us haven’t even seen a tiny fraction. Additionally, if you always dreamt of visiting distant places, then you can try to at least minimize your emissions by staying there longer.

It’s clear that our leisure in everyday life also makes up a big part. It’s hard to cut down here, because there is no one culprit. The Food & Catering section of carbon footprints is a highly controversial topic because it raises moral questions regarding the climate debate. The keeping of animals in agriculture requires a massive amount of water; land areas are destroyed for the cultivation of animal feed; cattle emit more than 300 litres of methane per day. The list of arguments against meat consumption continues endlessly.

To do something good for the planet, you don’t need to become a vegan immediately. It suffices to reduce your consumption and perception of meat. We have to start seeing it more as a luxury and not as a cheap bulk good.

Within our four walls, particularly in winter, we like to have it cosy and warm. Eventually we turn on the heating. In a big house, you will logically spend more CO2 on heating, and simply moving into a smaller home is not that easy in practice. However, switching to green electricity or insulating your home are reasonable steps.

Last but not least, I wanted to address our general consumption. By following the 3 R’s you can easily do something good for the environment and once again save money. So first of all you want to Reduce. Try to buy more deliberately and give yourself some time to reflect on your buying desire. If you really need the good, then go for it, but consider getting it second hand. Often you can make a lucrative deal for an almost new product. Only when your product is actually unusable and can’t be repaired, you should think about recycling. It’s not perfect, but in that case, the least evil.

Changing your lifestyle can be often huge and overwhelming, but it’s also a chance to become creative and look for alternatives. These were only some thought-provoking impulses, but in the end it’s all up to you. Seize this chance and lead the way with your unique ideas, because Climate Engineering won’t do it.