Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2021

Publication Title

Georgetown Journal of International Affairs

Volume

22

Issue

1

First Page

112

Last Page

118

DOI

https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/gia.2021.0001

Abstract

As climate change accelerates, geoengineering has emerged as a potential last-resort strategy for mitigating global warming. However, the absence of a comprehensive governance framework raises critical political, ethical, and ecological concerns. This article compares geoengineering governance to two existing global regimes: nuclear technology, which is tightly controlled due to catastrophic risks, and the internet, which is loosely regulated to maximize accessibility. Through analysis of utility, barriers to entry, and regulatory structures, the author argues that no single model is sufficient for geoengineering governance. Instead, a hybrid framework is required—one that combines strict oversight for high-risk, globally impactful technologies with flexible, decentralized management for lower-risk methods. Such an approach would balance innovation and precaution, ensuring that geoengineering, if ever deployed, contributes to climate security without amplifying environmental or geopolitical instability

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