21st Century Challenges

A new initiative to ensure strict governance of any plans for solar radiation management (SRM) geoengineering will be undertaken this year by the Royal Society, in partnership with TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

But where some researchers are forging ahead with the new science of tinkering with the atmosphere to change the climate, many others are warning that geo-engineering is untested, potentially dangerous and distracting the world from reducing greenhouse gases.

Scientists have been looking for ways of modifying the Earth's environment to control global warming - it's known as geo-engineering.

Chinese scientists claim to be able to control the weather. But is so-called geoengineering more than wishful thinking? And, if so, should we be worried?

Atmospheric scientist Ken Caldeira first became known for his groundbreaking work on ocean acidification, a phrase originally coined as a headline for one of his papers. Of late, however, Caldeira's research has led him into the controversial area of geo-engineering — the large-scale, deliberate manipulation of the Earth's climate system.

As the UK's Royal Society prepares to publish its conclusions on whether geo-engineering can help combat climate change, physicist Alan Gadian argues that geo-engineering techniques, in particular cloud whitening, must be properly tested - and soon.

But what if we can't do that? What if it turns out that slashing carbon emissions enough to make a difference — and it seems that means cutting output at least in half by mid-century — is economically and politically impossible? Do we need a Plan B?

Hacking the planet to rein in humanity's effect on the climate has been given a scientific stamp of approval. The umbrella body for meteorological scientists in the US is about to endorse research into geoengineering as part of a three-pronged approach to coping with climate change, alongside national policies to reduce emissions.

Putting lime into the oceans could stop or even reverse the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere, according to proposals unveiled at a conference on climate change solutions in Manchester today. Cquestrate is one of a number of so-called "geo-engineering schemes" that have been proposed to intervene in the Earth's systems in order to tackle climate change.

Geoengineering solutions to curb global warming may offer advantages in combating temperature rise, but could also significantly damage the earth’s eco-systems, climate scientists say in a new study published recently in the Journal of Geophysical Research.

Steven Chu, the Nobel prize-winning physicist appointed by President Obama as Energy Secretary, wants to paint the world white. A global initiative to change the colour of roofs, roads and pavements so that they reflect more sunlight and heat could play a big part in containing global warming, he said yesterday.

Many proposals to save the planet through geo-engineering are immensely expensive and futuristic.

Without a solid commitment from the world's leaders, innovative ways to combat climate change are likely to come to nothing.

New coal-fired power stations to be built in the UK must have carbon capture and storage facilities, the government said on Thursday.

Decision not to allow any new coal-powered plants to be built in Britain without carbon capture represents a major victory for the new Department for Energy and Climate Change and green pressure groups

Air pollution may be helping the fight against global warming by enhancing the ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide, scientists say.

As forecasts for global temperatures grow increasingly dire, scientists are taking a serious look at an idea once considered crazy: reengineering the atmosphere.

NGOs who oppose geo-engineering are running the risk of climatic catastrophe

The global warming situation has become so dire that Barack Obama's chief scientific adviser has raised with the president the possibility of massive-scale technological fixes to alter the climate known as 'geo-engineering'.

The report from the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Committee concludes that the UK has "no clear strategy" for the engineering sector and is facing a "lack of expertise" that threatens the viability of government initiatives to cut carbon emissions

An international team of scientists has returned from the southern ocean after conducting the biggest experiment into geo-engineering.

Techniques for geo-engineering are coming under serious scrutiny as temperatures and CO2 emissions continue to rise

Removing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere could help combat climate change. Will it really work?

Climate change is a massive problem that needs big and bold solutions, says Professor Tim Lenton. He outlines the reasons why "geo-engineering" projects could help win the battle against dangerous climate change.

Sam Laidlaw, chief executive of Centrica, has warned that coal plants fitted with carbon capture storage (CCS) equipment are unlikely to be ready to make big cuts in Britain's emissions before 2030.

An engineering professor and a cloud physics expert have been pumping salt into clouds to change the way they reflect light from the sun in an attempt to stop the planet heating up.

Plans to engineer the climate may be less effective than had been hoped

Europe-wide plan proposes €1.25bn for carbon capture at coal-fired power plants; €1.75bn earmarked for better international energy links

The Royal Society has announced plans today to study which planetary-scale geoengineering techniques might play a practical role in stemming the worst impacts of climate change.

Engineering solutions to modify the Earth's environment and climate may be necessary if humanity is to adapt to global warming, a group of influential scientists will say today. =

Mark Whitaker reports from Britain and the USA on the science of geoengineering and the political questions it raises.