Proper governance of research programs for grand technology is essential to prevent takeover by specific groups, emergence of particular constituencies, and privatization through patents. The political implications of research programs must consider who carries out the research, ethical guidelines, ownership of results, and disparities of control between powerful nations in making decisions.
Right now, climate engineers are working on new technologies, called solar geoengineering, that would reflect the sun’s rays away from Earth as a way to cool the planet. Those in favor argue it would be inexpensive and effective, and could buy us time to get carbon emissions down before the worst impacts of climate change. But others argue it would distract from the underlying issues of climate change and express concern about who would control such a powerful technology. So we debate: Is Engineering Solar Radiation A Crazy Idea?
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