Reading 18-Ethics of Enhanced Weathering and Geoengineering

This set of flashcards addresses key vocabulary and concepts related to the ethical considerations of enhanced weathering and geoengineering.

Main Idea: Geoengineering Challenges

This set explores geoengineering techniques like Enhanced Weathering and Negative Emissions Technologies (NETs), examining the complex ethical, economic, and governance challenges involved in addressing climate change through large-scale environmental interventions.

Enhanced Weathering

A geoengineering technique that accelerates natural weathering processes to remove CO2 from the atmosphere.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment, involving carbon dioxide absorption and release.

Moral Hazard

The risk that a party will engage in risky behavior because it does not have to bear the full consequences of that behavior; in geoengineering, this pertains to reduced efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions when relying on technology.

Negative Emissions Technologies (NETs)

Technologies aimed at removing CO2 from the atmosphere, including enhanced weathering.

Tragedy of the Commons (TOC)

A situation in which individuals acting in their self-interest deplete shared resources, resulting in a loss for the group as a whole.

Collective Action

An effort undertaken by a group of individuals to achieve a common goal, often needed to tackle issues like climate change.

Dirty Hands

An ethical dilemma where one must undertake unethical actions to prevent a greater moral wrong.

Externality

A consequence of an economic activity that affects third parties who did not choose to incur that cost, either negatively or positively.

International Governance

A framework of international agreements and regulations that manage global issues, such as climate change and geoengineering strategies.

Hubris

Excessive pride or self-confidence, specifically in the context of humans attempting to manipulate natural systems at a large scale.