Geoengineering technologies and approaches

Geoengineering technologies and approaches broadly fall into two categories, Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

Most are hypothetical proposals that exist only in research papers and modelling studies, others are already being tested and commercialised by various geoengineering advocates.

We are keeping close track of each of them – select a technology below to access more information about it, including the latest project updates and a printable briefing.

For more background, see: What is Geoengineering? and Reasons to Oppose.

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tech-illustration-artificial-upwelling

Artificial Upwelling

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Pumping nutrient-rich deep ocean waters to the surface to stimulate phytoplankton growth.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-bioenergy-carbon-capture-storage

Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Capturing the carbon dioxide emitted from bioenergy generation and injecting it underground.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-biochar

Biochar

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Burning biomass in a low oxygen environment to make a charcoal-like substance and adding it to soils.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-carbon-capture-storage

Carbon Capture and Storage

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Capturing carbon dioxide as it is released from smokestacks and injecting it into geological formations.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-carbon-capture-use-storage

Carbon Capture Use and Storage

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Capturing carbon dioxide as it is released from industrial processes and using it for manufacturing.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-cirrus-cloud-thinning

Cirrus Cloud Thinning

Solar Radiation Management

Releasing substances at high altitudes that thin cirrus clouds.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-direct-air-capture

Direct Air Capture

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Sucking carbon dioxide out of the air and then injecting it underground or using it for other purposes.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-enhanced-photosynthesis

Enhanced Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Manipulating the genetic make-up of plants or algae so that they exhibit “more efficient” photosynthetic traits.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-enhanced-weathering

Enhanced Weathering

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Crushing millions of tonnes of rocks and spreading them on land and in the oceans.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-marine-cloud-brightening

Marine Cloud Brightening

Solar Radiation Management

Spraying salt water aerosols into clouds so that they reflect more sunlight.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-microbubbles

Microbubbles and Sea Foam

Solar Radiation Management

Injecting tiny air bubbles or spraying sea foam to reflect light away from the oceans.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-ocean-alkalinity-enhancement

Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Making seawater more alkaline so that it can absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

tech-illustration-ocean-fertilisation

Ocean Fertilisation

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Drawing carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by dumping iron into the ocean to stimulate plankton growth.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-seaweed-farming

Seaweed Farming and Biomass Sinking

Carbon Dioxide Removal

Growing seaweed to capture carbon and sinking it in the deep ocean or utilising it for products.

tech-illustration-stratospheric-aerosol-injection

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection

Solar Radiation Management

Spraying sulfur dioxide and other aerosols into the stratosphere to block the sun.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-surface-albedo-modification

Surface Albedo Modification and Arctic Ice Management

Solar Radiation Management

Modifying the surface of the Earth in order to reflect more sunlight back into space.

BRIEFING
HOJA INFORMATIVA
tech-illustration-weather-modification

Weather Modification

Weather Modification

Changing local weather patterns, usually in order to increase or reduce precipitation.

The Geoengineering Map

With over 1,700 entries, this up-to-date interactive world map exposes the alarming expansion of geoengineering experiments and commercial-scale projects, including Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Management schemes.

See the map
Map explainer