Perceptions of climate engineering in the South Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, and North American Arctic

Abstract Nearly all research on public perceptions of climate engineering has been conducted in wealthy, developed countries. However, understanding perspectives from vulnerable populations is critical to inclusive, democratic debate on both research and governance. This study utilized in-depth inte...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wylie A. Carr, Laurie Yung
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:unknown
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10584-018-2138-x
Description
Summary:Abstract Nearly all research on public perceptions of climate engineering has been conducted in wealthy, developed countries. However, understanding perspectives from vulnerable populations is critical to inclusive, democratic debate on both research and governance. This study utilized in-depth interviews to explore the perspectives of vulnerable populations in the South Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the North American Arctic. Interviewees in this study were desperate for solutions to climate change and therefore willing to consider climate engineering. However, their willingness to consider climate engineering could be characterized as both deeply reluctant and highly conditional. Interviewees expressed a number of concerns about potential social and political implications of engineering the climate. They also described conditions that may need to be met to ensure that future climates (engineered or otherwise) are more equitable.