University of Coimbra, Portugal.
University of Coimbra, Portugal; University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Public Underst Sci. 2022 Oct;31(7):903-920. doi: 10.1177/09636625221095353. Epub 2022 May 13.
Geoengineering consists of a set of techniques whose aim is to avoid the disastrous consequences of global warming, such as solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal. Due to its controversial nature, over the past decade various exercises of public participation with geoengineering have been put in place, particularly in the Global North. This article draws on empirical data stemming from six online focus groups on public engagement with geoengineering conducted in Portugal. In contrast to previous research, we included situated publics to emphasize the political implications of geoengineering, bringing to the debate those with a potential stake in the matter - environmentalists, activists, university students, science communicators and promoters of holistic practices. We suggest that the elusive and uncertain character of geoengineering moves the discussion away from its technological specificity, bringing to the fore some of the socio-political, economic and ethical tensions underpinning the climate crisis.
地球工程包括一系列旨在避免全球变暖灾难性后果的技术，如太阳辐射管理和二氧化碳去除。由于其争议性，在过去十年中，特别是在全球北方，已经开展了各种与地球工程相关的公众参与活动。本文借鉴了葡萄牙进行的六次关于公众参与地球工程的在线焦点小组的实证数据。与之前的研究不同，我们纳入了特定公众，以强调地球工程的政治影响，将那些对此事有潜在利益的人——环保主义者、活动家、大学生、科学传播者和整体实践的推动者——带入辩论。我们认为，地球工程的难以捉摸和不确定性使讨论偏离了其技术特性，突显了支撑气候危机的一些社会政治、经济和伦理紧张关系。
