Techno-moral change through solar geoengineering: How geoengineering challenges sustainability. (1st June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hofbauer, Benjamin
• Is Part Of: Prometheus. Volume 38:Number 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06-01
• Subjects: Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Information science -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Communication -- Periodicals; Science and state -- Periodicals; Technology -- Australia -- Periodicals; 303
• DOI: 10.13169/prometheus.38.1.0082
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0810-9028

Abstract

Abstract : This article brings a new perspective to the ethical debate on geoengineering through stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), incorporating the emerging techno-moral change scholarship into the discussion surrounding sustainability. The techno-moral change approach can help us understand different ways in which technology might shape society. First, it helps highlight how values and norms are interrelated. Second, it shows that techno-moral change can happen even if the technology is in no way realized. Through the introduction of two techno-moral vignettes, two diametrically opposed ways in which SAI forces us to rethink sustainability and our relationship with nature are suggested. SAI could lead to a situation of entrenchment, wherein sustainability as a norm is undermined, or transformation where the necessity of acting according to sustainability is highlighted.