Geoengineering, Climate Change, and Capitalist Resistance: A Social Analysis of Aerosol Solutions
Overview
This paper examines the role of sulphate aerosols in climate change and geoengineering solutions as proposed by Andreas Malm. It argues that while geoengineering offers potential climate mitigation, its implementation is obstructed by capitalist interests, fossil fuel investments, and political resistance, making climate action primarily a social and economic problem rather than purely a technical one.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to sulphate aerosols and their environmental impact on the ozone layer
- Malm's geoengineering approach and the social dimensions of climate change
- Capitalist resistance to climate legislation and fossil fuel industry investments
- Political obstacles exemplified by Trump administration climate policy reversals
- Economic barriers to renewable energy adoption and continued fossil fuel dominance
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Anatomy of Whales
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Anatomy of Whales
Sulphate aerosols have been of importance to climate researchers for quite some time now. The role of aerosols in the environment has come to be understood lately. In his book ‘Progress of this storm’ Andreas Malm explains how geoengineering helps the world solve global warming. He further goes ahead to say that humans contribute either positively or negatively to global warming. Sulphate aerosols contribute to increasing the rate of global warming on earth. Aerosols are sold commercially by companies without the concern of how the products affect the environment. Aerosols contain components such as chlorine and sulphates. Sulphate and chlorine atoms react with the ozone molecules in the stratosphere, causing the ozone molecules to break down tens of thousands, causing holes in the ozone layer. Andreas Malm addresses the ‘aerosol’ menace as a social problem that will require a social geoengineering approach.
The human social process has had a significant impact on the climate. This has come along with the industrial evolution of man. These processes have led to an increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. In his book book ‘Progress of this storm’ Andreas Malm quotes Hornborg, who states that 'Human societies have transformed planetary carbon dioxide cycles, but not the carbon atoms themselves.' Therefore concluding that the relations of production to global warming are material and social but not natural.
Andreas Malm acknowledges the challenges that this geoengineering solution would face.