In his article ‘The Geoengineering Gambit’, Bullis explores the disappearance of the world’s sources of water are quickly disappearing, with some rivers at the brink of extinction. Melting snow and ice accounted for almost one-sixth of river sources. For instance, Himalayan glaciers have an estimated lifespan of around 25 years, meaning that rivers in Asian countries will have a reduction in water volume. In his keynote address, President Obama pointed out how climate change has evolved faster than expected. Strategies to counter greenhouse emissions have failed, with the levels of these gases rising nonetheless as carbon emissions from fossil fuels rising by 41% in the last 20 years.
Bullis highlights that countering the adverse effects of climate change may require governments to invest in geoengineering. One of the strategies involves sending out sun shields into space with the hope that it would trigger an algae bloom in oceans, acting as a shade for the planet. The flaw in this approach is that it would trigger an increase in greenhouse emissions and that there is no way that future generations would maintain same level of commitment and discipline. Additionally, little information is available on the side effects of geoengineering, making the planet as a guinea pig for the experiment with the results expected to go either way.
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Opponents also view geoengineering as a bad idea highlighting that it is too experimental to counter the ever-advancing effects of global warming on the planet. However, it is important to note that the idea is not new, with research on the topic dating back to the 19 th century. According to modern day scientists, geoengineering could be the way to go, but the associated risks could lead to chaos.
