Historical Perspectives on Intervention in the Atmospheric System: Cautionary Notes

Contrary to claims that climate engineering is something wholly new in scale and intent, a number of previous technological interventions have been either proposed or attempted on the atmosphere, on both regional and planetary scales. By and large, they did not have their desired effects on the physical environment, outpaced their original technical requirements, and gave rise to complicated political, social and economic issues. This presentation will sound historical cautionary notes regarding intervention in the atmospheric system.