Justice in Climate Engineering Towards a Rawlsian Appropriation
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Justice in Climate Engineering Towards a Rawlsian Appropriation Augustine Thomas Pamplaniyil Thesis Submitted for the Award of Doctor of Philosophy School of Communications Dublin City University Supervisors: Prof. Bert Gordijn Institute of Ethics, Dublin City University Prof. Pat Brereton School of Communications, Dublin City University 2017 . Declaration I hereby certify that this material, which I now submit for assessment on the programme of study leading to the award of PhD is entirely my own work, and that I have exercised reasonable care to ensure that the work is original, and does not to the best of my knowledge breach any law of copyright, and has not been taken from the work of others save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within the text of my work. Signed: Name: Augustine Thomas Pamplaniyil Student ID: 11100630 Date: 5 September 2017 ii Acknowledgements This thesis owes a special debt of gratitude to a number of persons: Prof. Bert Gordijn, the supervisor of this thesis, initial discussions with whom led to the choice of this topic and whose constant guidance and support, challenging demands, and patient corrections throughout this research made this project a reality in its present format; Prof. Pat Brereton, the co- supervisor, whose creative observations and generous encouragement made immense contribution to its progress. Prof. Thomas Potthast and Prof. Ethna Regan, the external and internal reviewers respectively of the pre-examination draft of this thesis, whose immense scholarship and professional expertise in the field coupled with an earnest and painstaking effort at a thorough and critical review even of the minute technical details of this work have significantly enhanced the quality of this work. Prof. Jane Suiter, the chair of the viva, for the systematic organisation of the examination, particularly for making the logistical arrangements for the video conferencing and the quick processing of the reports. Prof. Donal O’Mathuna who made an interim evaluation of the initial chapters and gave a constructive and critical feedback for the improvement of this work. Dr. Jonathan Lewis and Dr. Fiachra O’Brolchain for their most opportune assistance in preparing me for the examination. TheSchool of Communications under the leadership of Prof. Pat Brereton whose partial financial support was helpful for the completion of this project. The officials and office staff of the registry and the postgraduate studies of DCU whose timely communications and prompt responses to the queries made up for the limitations of my remote location. My friends and colleagues for their fraternal accompaniment as always. JUSTICE IN CLIMATE ENGINEERING Towards a Rawlsian Appropriation Declaration ......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................iii Abbreviations...................................................................................................................................... ix Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 The Climate Engineering Debate .................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Framing the Research Question ................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Methodology and Outline of the Study .......................................................................................... 8 1.4 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 10 Chapter 2 Concept, Historical Development and Technological Approaches of Climate Engineering 2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Climate Engineering Definitions ............................................................................................... 12 2.2.1 Prevalent Ambiguities .............................................................................................................. 17 2.2.2 Remarks on the Definitions of Climate Engineering................................................................ 18 2.3 History of Climate Engineering................................................................................................. 20 2.3.1 The Mythical and Mystical Allusions ....................................................................................... 21 2.3.2 Early Motives – Weather Control ............................................................................................ 22 2.3.3 Weather Warfare ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.3.4 Controlling the Radiation Budget ............................................................................................ 28 2.3.5 Recent Developments ............................................................................................................... 29 2.3.6 Lessons from the History of Climate Engineering ................................................................... 35 2.4 Climate Engineering Schemes ................................................................................................... 38 2.4.1 CDR Methods ........................................................................................................................... 40 2.4.1.1 Carbon Capture and Sequestration ...................................................................................... 42 2.4.1.2 Ocean Fertilization ............................................................................................................... 43 2.4.1.3 Enhanced Weathering ........................................................................................................... 44 2.4.1.4 Oceanic Upwelling and Downwelling .................................................................................. 45 2.4.1.5 Afforestation .......................................................................................................................... 45 2.4.2 Solar Radiation Management .................................................................................................. 46 2.4.2.1 Surface Albedo Approaches .................................................................................................. 46 2.4.2.2 Cloud Albedo Enhancement .................................................................................................. 47 2.4.2.3 Stratospheric Aerosol Injection ............................................................................................ 48 2.4.2.4 Space Based Albedo Enhancement ....................................................................................... 49 2.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 50 . Chapter 3 The Ethics of Climate Engineering: A Review of Literature 3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................. 52 3.2 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 52 3.3 Results ................. ...................................................................................................................... 58 3.3.1 Arguments for Climate Engineering .................................................................................... 61 3.3.1.1 Climate Emergency Arguments ............................................................................................ 63 3.3.1.2 The Lesser Evil Argument .................................................................................................... 68 3.3.1.3 Argumentsin Favour of Climate Engineering Research ...................................................... 72 3.3.1.4 Feasibility Arguments .......................................................................................................... 74 3.3.1.5 Public Good Arguments ....................................................................................................... 76 3.3.1.6 Ecological Arguments ........................................................................................................... 76 3.3.2 Arguments against Climate Engineering ............................................................................. 77 3.3.2.1 Scientific Objections ............................................................................................................ 80 3.3.2.1.1 Side-effects of Climate Engineering .............................................................................. 80 3.3.2.1.2 Irreducible Uncertainties .............................................................................................. 82 3.3.2.1.3 Earth-system Complexity ............................................................................................... 83 3.3.2.1.4 Worsens Dangerous Climate Change ........................................................................... 84 3.3.2.1.5 Potential Scientific Alternatives ...................................................................................