Geoengineering Earth's Climate: Resetting the Thermostat

Gr 9 Up—Swanson explains the impacts of climate change, particularly the warming caused by carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The author discusses how increased greenhouse gases contribute to powerful storms, extreme droughts, record temperatures, and melting ice sheets. Although replacing fossil fuels with renewables can help, some climatologists and engineers think more decisive action may be required. They are developing technologies that could alter Earth's existing systems to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide. Swanson explains theories behind and potential implementation of strategies such as reforestation, carbon capture and sequestration, ocean fertilization, and solar radiation management. The pros and cons related to each are presented along with discussions on current controversies and difficulties related to the implementation of such technologies. Diagrams help explain concepts such as the biological and industrial carbon cycle and the geological carbon cycle, but the dense text and unfamiliar concepts require patient, committed reading.