The Governance of Solar Geoengineering
Managing Climate Change in the Anthropocene

Solar geoengineering could reduce climate change, but poses risks. This volume explores how it is, could, and should be governed.

Jesse L. Reynolds (Author)

9781107161955, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 May 2019

250 pages, 1 b/w illus. 1 table
23 x 15.4 x 3 cm, 0.6 kg

'Reynolds writes in an excellent, accessible style and provides a full overview of the relevant literature. His interdisciplinary approach, combining political science, law and economics is a welcome departure from the many 'singlediscipline' approaches to geoengineering'. Axel Michaelowa, Environmental Politics

Climate change is among the world's most important problems, and solutions based on emission cuts or adapting to new climates remain elusive. One set of proposals receiving increasing attention among scientists and policymakers is 'solar geoengineering', (also known as solar radiation modification) which would reflect a small portion of incoming sunlight to reduce climate change. Evidence indicates that this could be effective, inexpensive, and technically feasible, but it poses environmental risks and social challenges. Governance will thus be crucial. In The Governance of Solar Geoengineering, Jesse L. Reynolds draws on law, political science, and economics to show how solar geoengineering is, could, and should be governed. The book considers states' incentives and behavior, international and national law, intellectual property, compensation for possible harm, and non-state governance. It also recommends how solar geoengineering could be responsibly researched, developed, and - if appropriate - used in ways that would improve human well-being and ensure sustainability.

1. Introduction
2. Climate change and solar geoengineering
3. Solar geoengineering and emissions abatement
4. International relations
5. International law: legal norms, principles, custom, and organizations
6. International law: the climate and atmosphere
7. International law: human rights
8. International law: other agreements
9. US law
10. Nonstate governance
11. Nonstate actors and intellectual property
12. International compensation and liability
13. A path forward
14. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Environmental science, engineering & technology [TQ], Social impact of environmental issues [RNT], Pollution & threats to the environment [RNP], Environment law [LNKJ], International environmental law [LBBP], International law [LB], Environmental economics [KCN]