AGU publishes ethical framework for geoengineering

The American Geophysical Union (AGU), a professional organization for earth and space scientists , has published an ethical framework that it says can “aid new research considerations, funding decisions, and policy proposals for addressing the rapidly growing field of climate intervention research.” The framework provides guidance for ensuring responsible and transparent research on climate intervention—also called geoengineering—that centers climate justice. It also states that, prior to commencement, geoengineering research plans should be reviewed and approved by an independent body. The goal is to define “what best practices would look like,” says AGU president Lisa Graumlich. “What does it mean for us to start down the road and have some clear lines where, if some of the principles were violated, things slowed down?” The ethical principles were developed over 2 years under the guidance of an advisory board of 40 experts from disciplines ranging from ethics to economics. The principles were