Climate change: some reasons for our failures

[hatrack]

3. Another possibility - sulphate injection blackmail, if we take the geoengineering route

Consider a major power (China, America, the EU) unilaterally setting up a system for sulphate dispersal. Let's assume that it works, and that it reduces insolation to a level that allows BAU to continue.

But if BAU is indeed BAU, consider the possibilities of blackmail inherent in such scheme. Let's say it involved getting another nation or bloc of nations to buy certain brands of transgenic crops or animals, or to yield water rights, give up seed banks or genetic information specific to a nation or region, or signing onto yet another free trade treaty.

"Nice capacity to feed yourself you've got there. Sure would hate to see anything happen to it if the sulphates stopped flowing." Rich nations, with the money to reinforce key infrastructure and investments, could probably take a (relatively short-term) hit. Pakistan, Chad, Mexico, Egypt - probably not.