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Climate and Atmosphere

Definition(s)

Geoengineering, also referred to as climate engineering, is the deliberate and large-scale intervention in the Earth's climatic system, with the aim of reducing global warming. There are two categories of technologies: - carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management. Carbon dioxide removal addresses a cause of climate change by removing the greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Solar radiation management attempts to offset effects of greenhouse gases by causing the Earth to absorb less solar radiation. (Source: Wikipedia)

Without prejudice to future deliberations on the definition of geo-engineering activities, understanding that any technologies that deliberately reduce solar insolation or increase carbon sequestration from the atmosphere on a large scale that may affect biodiversity (excluding carbon capture and storage from fossil fuels when it captures carbon dioxide before it is released into the atmosphere) should be considered as forms of geo-engineering which are relevant to the Convention on Biological Diversity until a more precise definition can be developed. It is noted that solar insolation is defined as a measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area in a given hour and that carbon sequestration is defined as the process of increasing the carbon content of a reservoir/pool other than the atmosphere. (Source: CBD decision X/33)

Hierarchy

Alternative labels:
climate engineering
climate modification
Related concepts:

In other languages

French
géo-ingénierie
Russian
геоинжиниринг
Spanish
geoingeniería
Arabic
الهندسة الجيولوجية

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