Controversial topic of solar geoengineering discussed, including dimming the sun. Ban on donkey skin trade celebrated by animal welfare charities. Dr Katalin Karikó's memoir on mRNA research for COVID vaccines highlighted.
Solar geoengineering aims to cool the planet by reducing sunlight absorption through strategies like mimicking volcanic cooling effects and brightening marine clouds.
Governance challenges in solar geoengineering include the need for universal agreement on implementation, addressing potential regional impacts, and lack of a clear governing body.
The ban on donkey skin trade in Africa highlights the clash between commercial interests in traditional Chinese medicine and animal welfare concerns for donkeys.
Katlyn Carrico's memoir exposes gender and immigrant biases in scientific research despite her groundbreaking work on mRNA for COVID vaccines.
The ethical dilemmas of balancing geoengineering for climate challenges and animal exploitation in traditional medicine underscore the need for cautious and informed decision-making processes.
Deep dives
Introduction to Solar Geoengineering
Solar geoengineering, or solar radiation management, involves reducing the amount of sunlight the Earth absorbs. Strategies discussed include mimicking the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions and brightening marine clouds. These approaches aim to cool the planet by creating upper atmosphere haze or reflecting more light, targeting local or regional cooling effects.
The Urgency of Climate Change Mitigation
With global emissions on the rise, efforts to cut emissions are insufficient to limit warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Solar geoengineering is considered due to the urgency of climate change, but it is emphasized as a supplementary measure to emission cuts rather than a standalone solution.
Controversy and Risks of Solar Geoengineering
Solar geoengineering faces controversy due to its potential impacts and risks. Suggestions to dim the sun can lead to uneven global temperature distributions and regional effects like droughts. There are concerns about sudden warming if geoengineering is abruptly halted, highlighting the complex and risky nature of the approach.
Challenges in Governance and Decision-Making
The governance and decision-making around solar geoengineering pose significant challenges. Issues include the need for universal agreement on implementation and termination, potential impacts on different regions, and the lack of a clear governing body to oversee such a global-scale intervention. The political, financial, and ethical dimensions of geoengineering governance require careful consideration.
Impact of Donkey Skin Trade on African Donkeys
The global donkey skin trade, driven by the demand for Ejiao in traditional Chinese medicine, has resulted in severe consequences for African donkeys. The ban on the donkey skin trade across Africa highlights the need to protect donkeys and prioritize their welfare over commercial interests. The clash of cultures and economic pressures have led to a significant depletion of donkey populations in Africa.
Challenges Faced by Katlyn Carrico in Her Scientific Career
Katlyn Carrico's memoir sheds light on the challenges faced by female scientists, such as funding rejections, discrimination, and institutional barriers. Despite her groundbreaking work on mRNA that revolutionized vaccine development, Carrico encountered bias and struggles in academia. Her journey underscores the importance of addressing gender and immigrant biases in scientific research environments.
Implications of Solar Geoengineering for Donkey Welfare
The tensions between solar geoengineering discussions and the impact on African donkeys raise ethical and moral considerations. While geoengineering aims to address climate challenges, the exploitation of donkeys for traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the need to avoid unintended consequences on animal welfare and global ecosystems. Balancing ecological preservation with technological interventions remains a critical aspect of sustainability debates.
Future Considerations and Ethical Dilemmas in Geoengineering
The future of geoengineering requires thorough assessment of its ecological, socio-economic, and geopolitical ramifications. The ethical dilemmas, governance challenges, and inadequate research on the long-term effects of geoengineering emphasize the need for a cautious and informed approach. Collaborative efforts, transparent decision-making processes, and continuous evaluation are essential in navigating the complex landscape of geoengineering technologies.
Conclusion and The Way Forward
Understanding the multifaceted aspects of solar geoengineering and its interconnectedness with global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and animal welfare demands comprehensive deliberation and informed actions. As scientific advancements continue and debates on geoengineering intensify, the ethical, social, and environmental implications will shape the future discourse on sustainable solutions to pressing global issues.
Switzerland has submitted a proposal to create a United Nations expert group on solar geoengineering to inform governments and stakeholders. The idea was discussed at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, this week. Professor Aarti Gupta shares how, after tense negotiations, the different member states could not agree, and the proposal was withdrawn. Why is solar geoengineering a controversial issue? How would dimming the sun even work? And should we consider it a genuine option in our fight against climate change? Dr Pete Irvine and Professor Joanna Haigh join presenter Marnie Chesterton in the studio to discuss.
Animal welfare charities have been celebrating a ban on donkey skin trade, agreed to this month by 55 African countries. This will make it illegal to slaughter donkeys for their skin across the continent, where around two thirds of the world’s 53 million donkeys live. Victoria Gill tells Marnie that the demand for the animals' skins is fuelled by the popularity of an ancient Chinese medicine called Ejiao, believed to have health-enhancing and youth-preserving properties and traditionally made from donkey hides.
Lastly, Dr Jess Wade, physicist and science communicator at Imperial College London, discusses Breaking Through: My Life in Science. It’s the memoir of Nobel Prize-winning biochemist Dr Katalin Karikó, whose passion and dedication to mRNA research led to the development of the life-changing COVID mRNA vaccines.
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producers: Florian Bohr, Louise Orchard
Assistant Producer: Imaan Moin
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
BBC Inside Science is produced in collaboration with the Open University.
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