Éghajlatszabályozás

Éghajlatszabályozás, also known as climate engineering or geoengineering, refers to a set of hypothetical technologies and approaches aimed at intentionally altering the Earth's climate system to counteract climate change. These proposed interventions are generally categorized into two main types: solar radiation management (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR).

Solar radiation management techniques aim to reflect a small fraction of sunlight back into space, thereby cooling the planet. Examples include stratospheric aerosol injection, where tiny reflective particles would be released into the atmosphere, and marine cloud brightening, which involves spraying sea salt into clouds to make them more reflective. Another concept is space-based mirrors, though this is significantly more complex and costly.

Carbon dioxide removal methods focus on removing greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, from the atmosphere. These approaches include afforestation and reforestation, enhancing natural carbon sinks like forests and oceans. More technological solutions involve direct air capture (DAC), where machines would extract CO2 directly from the air, and enhanced weathering, which accelerates the natural process of rock breakdown that absorbs CO2.

The concept of éghajlatszabályozás is highly controversial. Proponents argue that it could be a necessary last resort if mitigation efforts fail to limit global warming sufficiently, potentially averting catastrophic climate impacts. However, critics raise significant concerns about the potential unintended consequences, ethical implications, governance challenges, and the risk of moral hazard, where the perceived availability of geoengineering might reduce the urgency to cut emissions. The technologies are largely unproven at scale, and extensive research, modeling, and ethical debate are ongoing.