Hack the Sky? A Public Debate on Geoengineering

Since the scale of the climate change crisis became clear, our response has focused on trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to maintain the climate at something like the pre-industrial status quo. But what if that is no longer possible? With the world's nations unwilling to reduce their emissions, a growing number of scientists say we need to begin researching "geoengineering" – ways to artificially reduce sunlight or manipulate plants or the oceans to absorb huge amounts of CO₂. The prospect of geoengineering involves a dangerous gamble. Do we risk toying with the entire atmosphere to save it from ourselves? Can we afford not to?

Panel: Ken Caldeira, Carnegie Institute; CLive Hamilton, Charles Sturt University, Australia