What is the definition of an engineer? Answer: someone who solves a problem you didn’t know you had, in a way you don’t understand.
So what is the definition of a geoengineer? Answer: someone who is involved in the deliberate large-scale intervention of the Earth’s natural systems to interact climate change.
Hmmm, so just the same then.
Another explanation is that geoengineering basically means the manipulation of eco-systems, weather and the Earth’s environment in the face of fears against climate change. Nope, to us that just sounds like the job description for being Thor.
Thor, the original geoengineer with his favourite engineering tool.
What we can all agree on is that geoengineering is one of the most contentious subjects in this sector and in the fight against climate change.
Many believe the technology to be dangerous, and have been openly outspoken on the subject, especially in light of recent claims that some governments have been using the research to “weaponise the weather”.
We’re not making this up. Alan Robock, who studied the potential impact of a nuclear winter in the 1980s, has raised concerns that the CIA’s interest in and part-funding of a National Academy of Sciences report on different approaches to combating climate change.
Whatever the alleged flaws of geoengineering, it could provide a platform for real solutions in the face of disastrous global warming, and its potential is the sky’s not the limit.
This dark art is largely split into two different categories. Firstly there is solar geoengineering, or Solar Radiation Management (SRM). This aims to reflect a small proportion of the sun’s rays back into space, limiting the damage done by temperature rises caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases.
At first we got quite excited because we imagined this would be done with huge mirrors sent into orbit on space rockets. Alas, no: it’s mostly about increasing the effectiveness of cloud cover or using the land’s surface to reflect the heat, known as Albedo Enhancement.
There are also Stratospheric Aerosols, reflective particles, and these are shot into space and reflect the Sun’s heat.
Then, finally, we found out about Space Reflectors, which block the rays before they even reach Earth and, with a name like that, they surely must be launched into space on rockets, which got us all excited again.
Secondly, there is carbon geoengineering, or Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). Now this aims to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and counter the effect of greenhouse gases and ocean acidification. CDR requires global collusion to have any meaningful impact on carbon dioxide levels. Techniques include afforestation, which is, like, growing a forest the same size as the planet. Far out!
Or you could go for ambient air capture, applying machines that can directly remove CO2 and store it elsewhere.
There is even Ocean Fertilisation, which is adding nutrients to selected parts of ocean most affected by CO2 contamination.
For those interested in geoengineering as a career, there are geoengineering degrees at many of the top universities across the UK, including Strathclyde University and Oxford University, where there is also the Oxford Geoengineering Programme funded by UK Research Councils.
This programme integrates three major projects; Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE), Climate Geoengineering Governance (CGG) and The Integrated Assessment of Geoengineering Proposals (IAGP). Although in partnership with universities across the countries, Oxford is geoengineering’s central hub in the UK.
The work concerns a global problem, and internships and placements, although limited and dispersed across the globe, are lucrative and rewarding.
The Royal Meteorological Society engages with geo-engineers among many others, and an established geo-engineer can engage with work at some of the countries top universities even after graduation and with the aforementioned schemes.
The world needs creative ideas to combat climate change, and the geoengineers of the future may be the people to help provide it.
Anyone applying for a top job who can put down Odin as a referee is sure to be a shoo-in.