Moral Hazard Argument Against Geoengineering Geoengineering may be a risky option for combating climate change, not only because it is untested on the outcomes that might occur, but on the changes unpredictable things it could bring to the world. The Earth and new never-expected problems. There are many uncertainties regarding climate geoengineering. Before determining which argument against geoengineering poses the most significant challenge, the most important component is to understand what geoengineering is and why there might be a moral hazard argument against it. Dictionary.com's definition of geoengineering is making a large-scale effort to modify (the earth or its environment), especially to counteract global warming: extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is a way of geoengineering the planet. Some examples of geoengineering that could be explored (The pros and cons of engineering, 2012): • Adding SO2 to the stratosphere: this could reflect sunlight back into space and therefore cool the planet o Pros: could offset the warming, feasible and cost-effective o Cons: reduces precipitation, alters climate, could whiten the sky • Whiten sea clouds: spray sea water into the air, salt water should increase droplets in clouds; make them whiter and more reflective and therefore cool the planet. o Pros: It could compensate for heating, it is non-toxic, it is convenient and feasible. o Cons: May not work, technology is not available, and could alter climate • Ocean fertilization: Adds nutrients such as iron to oceans to improve plankton growth. If dead plankton sank to the ocean floor, the carbon in their bodies would be safely locked away. o Pros: Safe, will slow ocean acidification o Cons: Alter ecosystems, cause areas… middle of paper… October 25). Geoengineering could be essential to reducing the risk of climate change. Retrieved April 7, 2014, from MIT Technology Review: http://www.technologyreview.com/news/506256/geoengineering-could-be-essential-to-reducing-the-risk-of-climate-change/• Geoengineering. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 7, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/geoengineering• Hale, B. (2012). The world that would have been. In C. J. Preston (Ed.), Engineering the Climate (pp. 113–131). Lanham, Maryland, United States: Lexington Books .• Jankunis, F. (March 24, 2014). Lecture Geoengineering, the climate presented in Philosophy 2236. University of Lethbridge, Lethbrige, Ab.• The pros and cons of engineering. (September 20, 2012). Retrieved April 7, 2014, from New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/gallery/geoengineering