Some want to ban geoengineering research. This would be a catastrophic mistake for our planet | Craig Segall and Baroness Bryony Worthington

Geoengineering bans: A catastrophic mistake for our planet?

The climate debate rages on, with some politicians seeking to ban research into geoengineering - a practice that involves using technology to intentionally modify the Earth's climate. This is not only misguided but also reckless, as it ignores the urgent need for solutions.

The scientific consensus is clear: human activities have drastically altered the planet's energy balance, triggering catastrophic consequences. The evidence is mounting, with scientists warning of accelerating temperatures and devastating feedback loops. Yet, instead of exploring ways to slow the damage, some politicians are pushing to halt research into geoengineering - a potentially life-saving strategy.

The critics argue that acknowledging the need for geoengineering creates a "moral hazard". However, this reasoning is flawed. Ignoring the possibility of intervention in the face of impending disaster is not moral clarity; it's moral failure. Climate justice demands protecting people from suffering, and that requires a comprehensive plan that integrates mitigation, adaptation, and risk reduction.

Geoengineering is not a panacea, but it could provide a crucial safety net if we fail to contain greenhouse gas emissions. By exploring geoengineering options, policymakers can make informed choices instead of resorting to emergency decisions. A serious research program is essential for developing credible solutions - and shutting down inquiry would be catastrophic.

The window for action is narrowing, with the consequences of inaction growing more severe by the day. It's time for leaders, funders, and governments to engage in this crucial work, not just as an add-on but as a cornerstone of climate strategy. We must identify which approaches might help and prepare before an escalating crisis forces our hand.

The clock is ticking. Will we choose to continue down the path of denial or embark on a more inclusive, evidence-driven journey towards a sustainable future? The fate of our planet hangs in the balance.

omg, this geoengineering ban thingy is like, soooo wrong they're literally denying themselves options for saving the planet lol what's the point of having a super advanced understanding of climate science if you just gonna stick your head in the sand? and btw, "moral hazard" isn't even a real thing it's just an excuse to avoid dealing with the real issue at hand. we need more research, not less! let's get on that ASAP before it's too late

I'm so stoked about this geoengineering debate ! I mean, can you believe some politicians want to BAN research into it?! That's like saying we shouldn't explore new tech advancements because they might disrupt the status quo . Newsflash: innovation is key to solving our climate crisis!

Think about it, geoengineering could be the game-changer we need to keep our planet cool . We're not talking about some crazy sci-fi stuff here; it's real research that could make a huge difference. And yeah, there might be some risks involved, but so is NOT doing anything about climate change .

Let's not get caught up in moralizing or playing politics when we should be working together to save the planet . We need more people on board with this idea and advocating for research programs that can help us develop credible solutions . The clock might be ticking, but I'm feeling pretty hopeful about our future .

I think this decision by politicians to ban geoengineering research is, quite frankly, short-sighted . We're at a critical juncture where climate action is no longer an optional choice, but a necessity. Geoengineering could be a vital lifeline if we fail to curb emissions, and shutting down inquiry would be like throwing away our best chance at salvaging the planet. It's not about moral clarity; it's about recognizing the need for urgent solutions. We can't afford to wait for perfection – every bit of information counts, and research is essential for developing credible options. Let's focus on building a comprehensive plan that incorporates geoengineering as just one part of our climate strategy. Time is of the essence !

I'm like totally freaking out about this geoengineering ban thing . It's not just that I think it's a good idea to try and save the planet (although, let's be real, we gotta try), but come on! We can't just ignore the fact that our activities are basically destroying the place. I mean, climate change is no joke, right?

And what's with this "moral hazard" thing? Like, isn't that just a fancy way of saying "we're too scared to try anything new"? If we don't explore all our options, we'll be stuck in a rut and doomed to fail. At least with geoengineering, it's like having a safety net... kinda like having a favorite childhood video game that you always go back to when everything gets too tough .

We need to be thinking ahead here, not just reacting to the disaster as it unfolds. It's time for some real leadership and visionaries who aren't afraid to get their hands dirty . We can do this! (Or at least, we should try, anyway )

I'm really worried about this geoengineering ban . We need scientists to keep exploring ways to slow the damage from climate change. Banning research is like saying "oh well, we might as well do nothing" . What if it's not too late? We can't just sit around waiting for the planet to decide what's best for us. We need proactive solutions, not just reactive fixes. It's all about being prepared and making informed choices. The more we know, the better equipped we are to make a difference .

I mean, what's next? Banning space research too? Like, come on... scientists are just trying to save us from ourselves here. Geoengineering isn't about creating a "moral hazard" but about finding some semblance of sanity before we all drown in our own pollution . Can't we just have an open discussion about how to tackle this mess instead of shutting down the only thing that might give us a chance at salvation?

man this geoengineering thing is like, super complicated and needs to be done ASAP but at the same time i get why ppl are skeptical about it - we cant just stick our heads in the sand and pretend its gonna fix everything what if we mess with the climate even more? idk but one thing for sure is that the current state of affairs is straight up terrifying gotta keep pushing for research and solutions, but also gotta be realistic about what can actually work

[Image of a person stuck in quicksand with the caption "Geoengineering: because your 'mitigation' plan is just gonna get you stuck"]

[Meme of a thermometer with a red "X" marked through it, overlaid on a green background with a label that says " Geoengineering: don't @ me"]

[Animated GIF of a clock ticking away while a person is shown to be running out of time, with the caption "The window for action is narrow..."]

I'm getting really worried about this geoengineering ban thingy it's like they're putting their heads in the sand and expecting everything to magically fix itself... meanwhile, the polar ice caps are melting at an alarming rate and we're still debating whether or not we should even try to do something about it? I mean, what's next? Banning cancer research because it might be a bit too "radical" for some people?

I'm totally freaking out about this geoengineering ban thingy . Like, what's wrong with exploring all the options we can get to save the planet?! We're literally running out of time and it's like some politicians are more concerned with being safe than saving us from a potential catastrophe . Geoengineering might not be a magic bullet, but if we don't even try it's just gonna be another failed experiment . I mean, we can't just sit around twiddling our thumbs while the planet gets hotter and more messed up . We need to get on board with this research ASAP or we'll all be facing a whole lot of trouble . Can someone please start an online petition for this?

I'm soooo worried about this . Banning research into geoengineering is like saying "oh no, let's just wait for the Earth to crash and burn" . I mean, what if it's the only thing that can save us? It's not like we haven't had enough time to figure out a solution already... 30 years of inaction isn't gonna cut it . Can't our leaders see that we need all options on the table right now? This is just another example of politicians being more concerned with being "right" than actually doing what's best for the planet . I'm not even sure why they're having this debate... shouldn't it be a done deal by now?

I'm seriously worried about these geoengineering bans . Like, can't they see how urgent it is? We're literally running out of time and still debating whether to explore this as an option. It's not like we don't know what's at stake here - our planet is literally on fire (no pun intended). I get that there are risks involved, but shutting down research now will only make things worse in the long run. What if we're the ones who can find a way to turn the tables? Shouldn't we be trying everything to save ourselves and future generations?

I'M SO FED UP WITH THIS CLIMATE DEBATE BEING SO BACK AND FORTH!!! IT'S LIKE WE'RE JUST STANDING AROUND WATCHING THE PLANET BURN WE NEED TO GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT HERE AND START FOCUSED ON REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ALREADY!!! GEOENGINEERING ISN'T THE SOLUTION, BUT IT COULD BE A CRUCIAL SAFETY NET IF WE FAIL TO TAKE ACTION!!! WE CAN'T JUST WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO SAVE US - WE NEED TO TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN CLIMATE FUTURE AND GET SERIOUS ABOUT REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT!!!

think they're trying to kill the golden goose here - geoengineering research has the potential to be a total game-changer if we don't get it together with climate change I mean, what's the worst that could happen? We try something and it doesn't work out? At least we tried, you know?

I'm really worried about this ban on geoengineering research... it's like they're not taking the climate crisis seriously enough . We need to be exploring all options to mitigate the damage, not just sticking with what we know works (mitigation) and playing a waiting game for something better to come along (adaptation). I mean, we've seen how quickly things can escalate - we can't afford to wait around until it's too late . What if geoengineering is the only thing that can save us? It's not about creating a "moral hazard" - it's about being proactive and trying to prevent disasters from happening in the first place . We need more research, not less!

omg can't believe some ppl are actually trying to ban geoengineering research it's like, we gotta explore all options here! science is clear: climate change is real and we need a comprehensive plan to tackle it instead of playing games, we should be working on mitigation, adaptation, and risk reduction geoengineering isn't a silver bullet, but it could save our bacon if we fail to reduce emissions prioritizing research over fear is the way forward ️

This is not just about geoengineering, it's about being proactive and responsible. We're already facing climate disasters, so what's the point of waiting for things to get worse before we try anything? I'm all for a thorough investigation, but let's not shut down the conversation when we need experts to figure out our next move

Umm yeah lol what's wrong with trying everything at once? We can't just sit around twiddling our thumbs waiting for science to catch up . Geoengineering might not be perfect but at least it's better than doing nothing, right? I mean have you seen the news lately? Wildfires, droughts, polar bears on icebergs... we're running out of time!

I'm really worried about this geoengineering ban... it feels like we're running out of options and yet everyone's just sitting around waiting for someone else to make the first move . We need to start thinking outside the box, or rather, trying to find ways to change our box - the one that is suffocating us with all this pollution and destruction . What's the harm in exploring some crazy-tech solutions? It's not like we're just gonna turn ourselves into giant robots and start pumping out greenhouse gases... but seriously, we gotta think about the future and what could work . We can't just keep ignoring the problem and hoping it goes away, that's not how this works . We need to take responsibility for our actions and start working on solutions, like, now .