Geoengineering: A Capitalist Solution, Not a Climate One

In Le Grand Retournement, authors Marine de Guglielmo Weber and Rémi Noyon explore geoengineering as an emerging response to climate change. This deliberate manipulation of Earth’s climate—through technologies like carbon dioxide removal or solar radiation management—is often framed as a viable solution to the environmental crisis. However, the authors argue geoengineering is less about saving the planet and more about safeguarding the capitalist system that fuels ecological destruction. Through a deep philosophical, historical, and economic analysis, the book challenges readers to rethink techno-fixes and focus on systemic change to address climate change’s root causes.

The Philosophical and Historical Foundations of Geoengineering

The concept of geoengineering is rooted in Western modernity’s obsession with controlling nature. The authors trace this mindset to the Enlightenment, where nature was often portrayed as a resource to be tamed and exploited. This anthropocentric perspective gained traction with industrialization, reinforcing a belief in human dominion over the environment.

Terms like the Anthropocene—denoting a geological era shaped by human activity—and Gaia theory, which views Earth as a self-regulating system, are co-opted to justify geoengineering. The authors argue these concepts are used rhetorically to position geoengineering as a natural progression of humanity’s role in managing Earth’s systems, rather than questioning whether such interventions are desirable or sustainable.

Geoengineering as a Capitalist Tool

The book’s central thesis is geoengineering’s alignment with capitalist interests. Instead of addressing the structural causes of climate change, geoengineering offers a means to perpetuate business-as-usual practices. By emphasizing technical fixes over emission reductions, industries can avoid transformative changes while presenting themselves as environmentally responsible.

For instance, solar radiation management (SRM), which involves reflecting sunlight to cool the Earth, is a classic example of postponing systemic action. SRM doesn’t address the root causes of climate change—greenhouse gas emissions—but provides a temporary shield. Similarly, carbon dioxide removal technologies, though potentially useful, are marketed as a way to “offset” emissions without fundamentally altering consumption patterns or industrial processes.

Economic incentives further entrench geoengineering. Corporations and investors stand to profit from patents, infrastructure, and deployment of these technologies. The authors argue that this creates a dangerous feedback loop where economic growth and technological intervention are prioritized over ecological health.

The Risks and Uncertainties of Geoengineering

The book highlights the immense risks and uncertainties associated with geoengineering. Technological interventions at such a large scale carry potential unintended consequences that could exacerbate rather than alleviate the climate crisis. For example:

Unintended environmental effects: Interventions like ocean fertilization, aimed at increasing carbon absorption, can disrupt marine ecosystems and harm biodiversity.
Global inequality: Geoengineering initiatives may disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, exacerbating existing inequalities. Decisions about deploying these technologies are likely to be made by wealthy nations, sidelining those who bear the brunt of climate impacts.
Moral hazard: Reliance on geoengineering could reduce the urgency for emission reductions, delaying necessary systemic changes.
Reversibility issues: Once initiated, some geoengineering techniques may have cascading effects that are difficult or impossible to halt, leaving humanity with limited recourse.

The Propaganda of Geoengineering

The authors also examine how geoengineering is framed to gain public acceptance. Through strategic language, proponents downplay risks and position these technologies as essential components of climate action. Terms like “solar shields” or “carbon sinks” evoke a sense of safety and technological mastery, masking the complexities and dangers involved.

Media campaigns often highlight geoengineering as innovative and forward-thinking, appealing to audiences eager for solutions. By focusing on the promise of geoengineering, these narratives divert attention from the systemic changes required to transition away from fossil fuels and unsustainable consumption.

A Call for Systemic Change

Rather than endorsing geoengineering, Le Grand Retournement advocates for addressing the root causes of climate change. The authors argue that climate action must focus on systemic changes to dismantle the capitalist structures driving environmental degradation.

Phasing out fossil fuels: Rapidly transitioning to renewable energy is non-negotiable for mitigating climate change. This includes divesting from fossil fuel industries and investing in green infrastructure.
Economic transformation: Moving away from a growth-at-all-costs model is essential. Sustainable economies must prioritize equity, community well-being, and ecological balance over GDP metrics.
Empowering grassroots movements: Community-led initiatives often present innovative, localized solutions to environmental challenges. Supporting these movements fosters resilience and ensures that marginalized voices are heard.
Global cooperation: Climate change is a global problem requiring coordinated action. Countries must work together to create equitable policies and share resources for sustainable development.

The Ethical Imperative

At its core, the book challenges readers to consider the ethical implications of geoengineering. Who decides which technologies to deploy, and at what cost? Can we trust corporations and governments—entities that have historically prioritized profits over people—to steward these interventions responsibly? The authors argue that true climate solutions must be guided by ethics, prioritizing justice, equity, and sustainability over short-term gains.

*Image source: Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0/Hughhunt*

Ongoing Projects

The British SPICE project (Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering) exemplifies the bold but controversial attempts to explore geoengineering solutions. This initiative investigates the feasibility of injecting reflective particles into the stratosphere to reduce solar radiation and cool the planet. The project has sparked significant debate, not only for its technical challenges but also for its ethical implications and potential environmental risks. By using techniques like particle injection to modify the Earth’s climate, SPICE represents the cutting edge of solar radiation management—a domain that, while promising, raises pressing questions about governance, equity, and unintended consequences.

In Short

Le Grand Retournement is a thought-provoking critique of geoengineering, exposing its limitations and risks while advocating for a paradigm shift in how we approach climate action. The book emphasizes that technological fixes, no matter how sophisticated, cannot substitute for systemic change. Addressing the climate crisis requires confronting the societal and economic structures that perpetuate it, rather than relying on technologies that could deepen inequalities and ecological harm.