Kelly wanser on climate change as a possible existential threat

Abstract

Climate change is a serious threat, and there is a possibility that it could lead to existential risks for the human race. Existing climate models are likely underestimating the risk, and climate change might be unfolding faster than previously thought. The possibility of cascading tipping points, where the collapse of one ecosystem triggers the collapse of another, has a non-zero probability of pushing the planet towards a state unsuitable for human life. To prevent this, a new set of climate interventions are being explored. They involve either releasing aerosols into the troposphere to brighten clouds and reflect sunlight, or injecting aerosols into the stratosphere to directly reflect sunlight. Both techniques are still in their early stages of research, and there are concerns about their potential unintended consequences. However, the authors of the article argue that climate intervention research is necessary to expand the toolkit available to address climate change. The international community needs to consider these potential technologies and their implications. – AI-generated abstract