Geoengineering
Also known as: Climate Intervention
Geoengineering covers deliberate, large-scale ways to counter climate change — from reflecting sunlight (solar radiation management) to removing CO₂ from the air. Each approach has real potential and real risks. MEER's surface-based cooling is deliberately different: it acts at ground level, not in the atmosphere.
Scientific detail
Geoengineering encompasses (i) Solar Radiation Management (SRM) — e.g. stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening — which alters shortwave radiative forcing, and (ii) Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) — e.g. afforestation, direct air capture, enhanced weathering — which lowers atmospheric GHG concentrations. Both raise scientific, governance and ethical questions. MEER's surface albedo enhancement is a low-risk, reversible, ground-based complement that avoids atmospheric intervention.
Related terms
Effective Radiative Forcing
The net change in Earth's energy balance caused by a given intervention or driver.
Surface-Based Cooling
Cooling delivered at Earth's surface itself, rather than in the atmosphere or in space.
Adaptive Mitigation
Interventions that adapt to warming today and reduce warming tomorrow.
Albedo
The fraction of sunlight a surface reflects — 0 is black, 1 is a perfect mirror.