Shocked Geoengineering
Sep 15, 2025
David Keith, a physicist from the University of Chicago specializing in climate solutions, dives into the controversial world of geoengineering. He discusses how some experts are considering using techniques to deliberately cool the planet, mirroring volcanic eruptions. The conversation highlights both the potential benefits of solar geoengineering and ethical concerns surrounding its implementation. Keith also addresses the political implications of funding and research in this field, as society grapples with urgent climate crises like the devastating floods in Pakistan.
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Pakistan's Devastating 2022 Floods
- Pakistan's 2022 floods submerged one-third of the country and affected 33 million people.
- Hina Rabbani Khar described 600,000 women giving birth while homeless during the crisis.
Geoengineering Sits Between Mitigation And Adaptation
- Climate policy usually splits into mitigation and adaptation, but geoengineering sits between them.
- Solar geoengineering could quickly lower temperatures by reflecting sunlight back to space.
Pinatubo Proved Volcano-Scale Cooling Works
- Mount Pinatubo's 1991 eruption injected ~20 million tons of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere.
- The result cooled global temperatures by about 0.5°C for the following year, showing volcanic-scale cooling is real.