80,000 Hours Podcast

#95 – Kelly Wanser on whether to deliberately intervene in the climate

Mar 26, 2021
In this engaging discussion, Kelly Wanser, founder of SilverLining and advocate for climate intervention research, tackles the urgent need for geoengineering solutions. She highlights innovative methods like cloud manipulation and the ethical complexities surrounding their use. Kelly points out that even with ideal efforts, some global warming is now unavoidable, making proactive strategies critical. The conversation delves into public perception, the risks of misuse in warfare, and the necessity for global cooperation in navigating climate challenges.
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INSIGHT

Unsafe Best-Case Scenario

  • Current climate projections, even with Paris Agreement commitments, predict two degrees of warming.
  • Scientists consider this level potentially unsafe, making our best-case scenario dangerous.
ANECDOTE

Existing Climate Interventions

  • China has a massive rainmaking program affecting an area the size of Alaska.
  • The US increases snowpack in Colorado to improve water tables, showcasing existing interventions.
INSIGHT

Accidental Geoengineering

  • Pollution particles inadvertently brighten clouds, creating a cooling effect.
  • Scientists estimate this accidental geoengineering lowers global temperature by 0.5–1.1ºC.
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