Frontiers Science House | Session reflections | Experts at odds: debating geoengineering
“A decarbonised world is a better world — cleaner, healthier, and ultimately fairer. That’s where our focus must remain.” Martin Siegert, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter
In the Science Policy Dialogue, ‘Experts at odds: debating geoengineering’, speakers examined whether intervening in Earth’s natural systems should play any role in responding to climate change, or whether such approaches risk distracting from the urgent need to decarbonise.
The discussion underscored strong concerns that geoengineering solutions, while often presented as technological silver bullets, could introduce profound ecological, geopolitical, and governance risks — from unintended planetary impacts to moral hazard and decision-making under panic.
“We know what works: decarbonisation. The challenge isn’t technology — it’s understanding power, economics, behaviour, and how decisions are really made.” Gail Whiteman, Inaugural Hoffmann Impact Professor for Accelerating Action on Nature & Climate, University of Exeter Business School
Panelists highlighted the importance of grounding climate decisions in open, transparent science, with space for debate, dissenting views, and public scrutiny. Open access publishing was emphasised as essential to ensuring that climate science informs global dialogue — not just the conversations of a select few.
As concluded in the session, addressing climate change demands resisting the allure of quick fixes, renewing focus on decarbonisation at scale, and bringing social science, natural science, and governance together to navigate risk responsibly.
• Paul Alivisatos, President, University of Chicago
• Martin Siegert, Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Exeter
• Gail Whiteman, Inaugural Hoffmann Impact Professor for Accelerating Action on Nature & Climate, University of Exeter Business School
• Adrian Monck, Founder, 7 Things
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