Protect Arctic from 'dangerous' climate engineering, scientists warn
Controversial approaches to cooling the planet are unlikely to work, according to dozens of polar scientists.
Dozens of polar scientists have warned that proposals to cool the Earth by altering the Arctic and Antarctic are risky, unproven and could divert attention from cutting fossil fuels.
These polar "geoengineering" ideas include artificially thickening sea ice, releasing reflective particles into the atmosphere and other radical approaches aimed at lowering global temperatures without tackling greenhouse gas emissions at the source.
While such methods are being discussed as potential tools alongside net-zero strategies, more than 40 researchers argue they could cause severe environmental damage, disrupt weather patterns and worsen geopolitical tensions in the fragile polar regions.
In a review published in Frontiers in Science, the team evaluated five leading Arctic and Antarctic geoengineering concepts and found none met basic feasibility or safety criteria. For example, pumping seawater over winter ice to strengthen it would require millions of pumps, while spraying aerosols risks unpredictable climate side effects.
Lead author Martin Siegert of the University of Exeter said: "These techniques treat the symptoms of climate change rather than its causes. They could create a false sense of security that decarbonisation is unnecessary."
Opponents of geoengineering caution that experimenting in the polar environment may have irreversible consequences and that governance of such interventions remains unclear.
Supporters of limited research, such as Dr Shaun Fitzgerald of Cambridge's Centre for Climate Repair, agree emissions cuts must come first and large-scale deployment is premature. Yet they argue further study is needed to guide future decisions.
The UK government has funded nearly £60 million for geoengineering research but insists it has no plans to deploy these methods. The study authors believe resources are better spent on emission reductions and polar science.
Polar geoengineering methods pose severe environmental risks, lack proven efficacy and could distract from the critical goal of reducing emissions.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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