Geoengineering & Climate Change

Objective

In this seminar, we will investigate various scientific, ethical, and practical issues associated with addressing climate change, focusing especially on controversial solutions such as geoengineering. Recurring themes in the course include the justification of scientific knowledge and the relationship between science, values, and ethics. Readings in the class range from accessible scientific sources to philosophical texts and news articles. Some of the specific questions (and their possible answers) we will explore: To what extent can we trust climate models to tell us about future climate, include a potentially geoengineered climate? In what sense is climate change a wicked problem? Do we have a moral obligation to oppose the research and/or implementations of geoengineering solutions to climate change?