Geoengineering, Persuasion, and the Climate Crisis: A Geologic Rhetoric

Geoengineering,Persuasion,and the Climate Crisis: A Geologic Rhetoric explores the underexamined side of climate change, geoengineering strategies, and their potential harm. It highlights the deceptive and exploitative nature of geoengineering discourse, calling for a rethinking of our approach to the climate.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 13 December 2022
Publisher: The University of Alabama Press

Geoengineering, a field of study that explores the intentional manipulation of Earth's climate to address global warming, is a topic that requires urgent attention. While geoengineering projects offer technological solutions to complex environmental problems, they also raise significant concerns and risks. This essay aims to delve into the complexities of geoengineering, its persuasive strategies, and the broader context of the climate crisis.

Geoengineering encompasses a range of climate-altering projects, including cloud whitening, carbon dioxide removal, stratospheric aerosol injection, and enhanced weathering. These projects are designed to mitigate the effects of global warming by altering the Earth's climate system. However, the debate surrounding geoengineering is fraught with controversy and uncertainty.

One of the most concerning aspects of geoengineering is the lack of public discussion and engagement. The majority of deliberations on geoengineering take place within policy groups, behind closed doors of climate-oriented startups, between subject-matter experts at scientific conferences, or in the disciplinary jargon of research journals. This limited public discourse hinders the ability of ordinary citizens to understand the complexities of geoengineering and to participate in the decision-making process.

Furthermore, the conversation surrounding geoengineering is primarily concentrated in the West, with limited representation from developing countries and marginalized communities. This imbalance in participation contributes to the perpetuation of power inequalities and the marginalization of those most affected by climate change.

Ehren Helmut Pflugfelder's book, Geoengineering, Persuasion, and the Climate Crisis: A Geologic Rhetoric, provides a valuable exploration of the deliberative rhetorical strategies employed by geoengineering advocates. Pflugfelder argues that these strategies have been largely deceptive, hegemonic, deterministic, and exploitative. He investigates how geoengineering proponents marshal geologic actors into their arguments and how current discourse could lead to a greater exploitation of the Earth in the future.

Pflugfelder's goal is to understand the structure, content, purpose, and effect of these discourses and to raise the alarm about their deliberative directions. He seeks to help us rethink our approach to the climate crisis, recognizing that geoengineering is not a panacea but rather a tool that should be used in conjunction with other sustainable solutions.

One of the inherent problems with geoengineering is its potential to exacerbate existing environmental injustices. For example, geoengineering projects that aim to reduce carbon dioxide levels by removing carbon from the atmosphere could have unintended consequences for vulnerable communities, such as indigenous peoples and low-income communities that rely on carbon-rich ecosystems for their livelihoods.

Furthermore, geoengineering projects could have unintended ecological consequences, such as altering the balance of ecosystems or causing biodiversity loss. These ecological impacts could have long-term consequences for human health and well-being, as well as for the planet's overall sustainability.

Another concern with geoengineering is the lack of regulation and oversight. The potential risks and unintended consequences of geoengineering projects could be significant, and there is a risk that they could be exploited for political or economic gain. Without proper regulation and oversight, there is a risk that geoengineering could exacerbate existing power inequalities and further marginalize vulnerable communities.

To address these concerns, it is essential to engage in open and transparent public discourse on geoengineering. This includes involving a wide range of stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, community representatives, and marginalized communities. It also requires developing robust regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure that geoengineering projects are conducted safely and ethically.

In conclusion, geoengineering represents a complex and controversial field of study that requires careful consideration and analysis. While geoengineering projects offer technological solutions to global warming, they also raise significant concerns and risks. It is essential to engage in open and transparent public discourse on geoengineering, to involve a wide range of stakeholders, and to develop robust regulations and oversight mechanisms to ensure that geoengineering projects are conducted safely and ethically. Only through a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach can we address the challenges of climate change and create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780817321420