Pros and Cons of Geoengineering

In Termination Shock, Stephenson presents a discussion of the pros and cons of geoengineering. Geoengineering is described as anything that helps reduce the carbon in the atmosphere. Advantages are lower temperatures, more stable weather, and an end to the rise in sea levels. Disadvantages include interruptions in the monsoons in India and the impact on the economy.

Stephenson includes descriptions of several forms of geoengineering along with descriptions of stop-gap measures humans fall back on in their attempt to control the climate. T.R. argues that if he can shoot enough sulfur into the stratosphere that sulfur will reflect the sun’s heat back into space and away from the earth. Other forms of geoengineering include planting trees or making algae bloom over big patches of the ocean. These plants remove carbon from the air, but T.R. argues they do not...