Sovacool et al. (2023): Coral reefs, cloud forests and radical climate interventions in Australia’s Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef
Benjamin K. Sovacool , Chad M. Baum, Sean Low, Livia Fritz IN: Plos Climate, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000221
This empirical study explores four types of climate interventions spanning climate differing degrees of radicalism: adaptation, solar geoengineering, forestry and ecosystems restoration, and carbon removal. It examines ongoing efforts to engage in selective breeding and assisted adaptation of coral species to be introduced on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as to implement regional solar geoengineering in the form of fogging and marine cloud brightening. It also examines related attempts at both nature-based and engineered forms of carbon removal vis-à-vis ecosystem restoration via forestry conservation and reforestation in the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, and enhanced weathering and ocean alkalinization. Moreover, the study identifies positive synergies and coupling between the options themselves, but also lingering trade-offs and risks needing to be taken into account.