Geoengineering - taking control of our planet's climate

• 9.00am – 5.00pm on 08 November 2010 – 09 November 2010
• at The Royal Society, London

Organised by Professor Andy Ridgwell, Professor Chris Freeman and Professor Richard Lampitt

Society seems unable or unwilling to make the drastic reductions in CO2 emissions necessary to avoid 'dangerous' (unacceptable) climate change.

A new science 'Geoengineering' that until recently would have seemed pure science fiction, promises an alternative way of temporarily regaining control of climate. This meeting considers the state of this new science, and its implications to society.

Speakers and chairs

Invited speakers and chairs include Professor Chris Freeman, Bangor University, Professor David Keith, University of Calgary, Tim Kruger, University of Oxford, Professor Richard Lampitt, National Oceanography Centre (Chair), Professor John Latham, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Professor Brian Launder FRS, University of Manchester (Chair), Dr Margaret Leinen, Climate Response Fund, Professor Damon Matthews, Concordia University, Professor John Mitchell OBE FRS, MetOffice, Professor Nicholas Pidgeon, Cardiff University, Jonathon Porritt, Forum for the Future, Professor Andy Ridgwell, University of Bristol (Chair), Professor John Shepherd CBE FRS, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Dr Joy Singarayer, University of Bristol, Dr Carol Turley, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Professor Paul Valdes, University of Bristol (Chair), Dr Naomi Vaughan, University of East Anglia, Professor Andrew Watson FRS, University of East Anglia, Dr Matthew Watson, University of Bristol, Professor Robert Watson, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.

Programme and proceedings 

The latest programme timetable is available for download: download the timetable here. The proceedings of this meeting are scheduled to be published in a future issue of Philosophical Transactions A.

This is one of ten interdisciplinary scientific discussion meetings held each year by the Royal Society, which focus on new or rapidly changing science, engineering and technology. Any UK scientist or engineer is eligible to propose a discussion meeting.

The Royal Society and geoengineering

The Royal Society's work on geoengineering includes:

• The SRM governance initiative, a major new initiative to ensure strict governance of any plans for solar radiation management (SRM) geoengineering, undertaken by by the Royal Society, in partnership with the TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). This initiative is currently underway and submissions are welcome. 
• A major study into geoengineering the climate, chaired by Professor John Shepherd FRS, was researched and written over a period of twelve months by twelve leading academics representing science, economics, law and social science. The report, Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty was published on 1 September 2009, and is summarised in the accompanying press release, Stop emitting CO2 or geoengineering could be our only hope.
• An Inter-Academy Panel statement on Ocean Acidification, signed by 100 of the world's leading science academies, including the Royal Society and published on 1 June 2009.

For further information on the policy activities see the Royal Society Science Policy Centre website.