A Polarised Debate: Is There a Middle Ground on Geoengineering?

2024 was the first year to exceed the 1.5°C warming threshold, and global emissions continue to rise. Against this backdrop, interest in climate interventions has grown as potential tools to help reduce temperatures. Techniques such as Arctic Ice Rethickening and Marine Cloud Brightening aim to preserve Arctic ice and reflect solar radiation away from the Earth.

With £56.8 million in UK government funding now supporting research into approaches such as these, debate around the benefits and risks of geoengineering is intensifying—and often becoming polarised. Views range from calls to prohibit research altogether to arguments for the swift deployment of these technologies. Others suggest that this ‘no middle ground’ framing leaves a gap in responsible governance and transparent, science-based decision-making.

Is polarisation on geoengineering inevitable? Or can a middle ground be found, and what might it look like? Join us on 6th May to explore these questions. 

Aromi pizza will be provided from 12.45pm