Climate Crisis: Why Global South's Voice Matters in Geoengineering Debate
As the world teeters on the edge of climate catastrophe, a proposal to use solar geoengineering – deliberately reflecting sunlight to cool the planet – is gaining traction. The technology has the potential to buy time, but its proponents must confront the glaring lack of representation from the global south.
The regions most vulnerable to climate change are now at the forefront of this crisis. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and droughts are becoming the new norm, imperiling health, food, and water security. The consequences of inaction will be dire, exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening development and public well-being.
However, research into solar geoengineering is being conducted largely in the global north, with little consideration for its impact on southern regions. This raises concerns about uneven distribution of benefits and harm, with some areas reaping the rewards while others suffer from altered rainfall patterns or ecological shifts.
The lack of transparency and inclusive dialogue has led to a growing gap in knowledge, capacity, and influence among southern nations. Governments are largely silent on this issue, research funding is scarce, and public debate is nonexistent. This risks perpetuating colonial dynamics that have historically shaped climate policy – solutions designed for others but without their input.
The Degrees Initiative has taken steps towards addressing this imbalance by funding scientists from the global south to study the effects of solar geoengineering in their regions. Similarly, the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency is investing in southern researchers exploring the governance and ethics of geoengineering approaches.
However, more needs to be done. The need for public research led by institutions in the global south, research networks rooted in southern universities, and funding that supports south-south collaboration cannot be overstated. A global governance framework that ensures equity, transparency, and informed consent is also essential.
This does not mean endorsement – understanding solar geoengineering is about empowering ourselves to ask critical questions, assess potential benefits and risks, participate in policy discussions rooted in local realities, and challenge decisions made elsewhere.
The risks of unintended consequences or abrupt termination remain significant. Solar geoengineering is a temporary band-aid at best, failing to address the root causes of climate change. Ignoring it will not make it go away – only perpetuate the status quo.
As we navigate this existential crisis, one thing is clear: transparency and inclusive dialogue are non-negotiables. Climate justice demands that the global south's voice be heard in any discussion about geoengineering technologies. Only then can we begin to address the complexities of this issue with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us.
As the world teeters on the edge of climate catastrophe, a proposal to use solar geoengineering – deliberately reflecting sunlight to cool the planet – is gaining traction. The technology has the potential to buy time, but its proponents must confront the glaring lack of representation from the global south.
The regions most vulnerable to climate change are now at the forefront of this crisis. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and droughts are becoming the new norm, imperiling health, food, and water security. The consequences of inaction will be dire, exacerbating existing inequalities and threatening development and public well-being.
However, research into solar geoengineering is being conducted largely in the global north, with little consideration for its impact on southern regions. This raises concerns about uneven distribution of benefits and harm, with some areas reaping the rewards while others suffer from altered rainfall patterns or ecological shifts.
The lack of transparency and inclusive dialogue has led to a growing gap in knowledge, capacity, and influence among southern nations. Governments are largely silent on this issue, research funding is scarce, and public debate is nonexistent. This risks perpetuating colonial dynamics that have historically shaped climate policy – solutions designed for others but without their input.
The Degrees Initiative has taken steps towards addressing this imbalance by funding scientists from the global south to study the effects of solar geoengineering in their regions. Similarly, the UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency is investing in southern researchers exploring the governance and ethics of geoengineering approaches.
However, more needs to be done. The need for public research led by institutions in the global south, research networks rooted in southern universities, and funding that supports south-south collaboration cannot be overstated. A global governance framework that ensures equity, transparency, and informed consent is also essential.
This does not mean endorsement – understanding solar geoengineering is about empowering ourselves to ask critical questions, assess potential benefits and risks, participate in policy discussions rooted in local realities, and challenge decisions made elsewhere.
The risks of unintended consequences or abrupt termination remain significant. Solar geoengineering is a temporary band-aid at best, failing to address the root causes of climate change. Ignoring it will not make it go away – only perpetuate the status quo.
As we navigate this existential crisis, one thing is clear: transparency and inclusive dialogue are non-negotiables. Climate justice demands that the global south's voice be heard in any discussion about geoengineering technologies. Only then can we begin to address the complexities of this issue with honesty, integrity, and a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us.
, I'm all for giving a voice to the Global South in this geoengineering debate, but I think it's a bit more complicated than that... The whole thing feels like we're trying to paper over some huge issues without really addressing them 
. We need to be honest with ourselves about why we're even considering geoengineering - is it just because we can't seem to get our act together on reducing emissions? 
And what's the real risk of unintended consequences? I'm not saying we shouldn't explore this tech, but let's at least acknowledge that there's a lot we don't know yet 
.
... I mean, have you ever tried hiking in the mountains? It's so peaceful and breathtakingly beautiful! The views from the top are just incredible 
. And you know what's even better? Bringing a good camera to capture all the amazing moments 
. Just like how we need more cameras to capture the voices of the global south in climate discussions 
... speaking of which, have you tried that new vegan cafe downtown? The avocado toast is to die for 
!
. The global south is already dealing with extreme weather events & droughts so it's crazy that the research is happening in the north without their input. We need more funding for southern researchers to study the effects of geoengineering in their regions & also more public debate about this topic. It can't be left up to governments or institutions to decide on our behalf.
they're the ones getting hit hardest by climate change and we need their input on how to fix it (or at least make it not get worse). it's like, can't we just let them do some research and give us their perspective for once? 
We need more research from scientists in the global south to understand how solar geoengineering will impact their communities 
. It's not just about saving the planet, it's about protecting the people who are most vulnerable to climate change 
. This is not just about geoengineering, it's about climate justice 
. We can't afford to ignore the global south's voice in this debate 
. It's time for us to listen and work together towards a more equitable future 
#ClimateJustice #GlobalSouthMatters #GeoengineeringDebate
I gotta disagree with all these voices wanting to let southern nations have a say in solar geoengineering. Like, what's the rush? It's not like they're gonna benefit from it or anything - we've got the tech, we'll just send it their way and make sure they know how to use it. Besides, if the global south is already struggling to adapt to climate change, why should we bother with geoengineering? Just seem like more work for everyone else... 
Like, we're talking climate change here - the regions that will bear the brunt of it are already super vulnerable and struggling to cope. The lack of representation from the global south in this debate is just another example of how our planet's problems often seem to get 'solved' without people from those areas even being at the table 
It's all about power and control, isn't it? 
... I mean, I'm no expert or anything, but I do know that those regions are already bearing the brunt of climate change, so shouldn't their input be the least bit more significant? 