ABSTRACT

A given community could approach geoengineering in one of three simplified ways. The first is to work for an international ban of geoengineering research, development, and deployment. Second, it may advocate for a laissez faire approach to relevant activities. Third, it may work towards an international system of governance and regulation. By claiming to limit and even reduce temperature, geoengineering will address the main cause of Africa's vulnerability. The principal claim of geoengineering is that, by reducing incoming and/or increasing outgoing short-wave radiation, it will cool the Earth. There are suggestions that possible risks of geoengineering such as risks of termination, human health risks of sulphur deposition, and destruction of the ozone layer could be avoided or minimised through better engineering. Africa's interest, considering potential roles of geoengineering in minimising and maximising climate risks on the continent, requires generation of extensive scientific knowledge and control of its deployment with a view to minimising costs of errors.