Climate Engineering and the Napkin Diagram

In this panel discussion from COP29 in Baku, host Herb Simmons, and experts Hugh Hunt, and Paul Beckwith explore the controversial topic of Climate Engineering and the Napkin Diagram.

This video was recorded on November 19th, 2024, and published on January 8th, 2025, and represents the opinions of the discussion participants.

The conversation delves into the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach to combat climate change, including emissions reduction, carbon dioxide removal (CDR), and solar radiation management (SRM). The panelists argue that traditional methods alone may not be sufficient to address the rapidly escalating climate crisis.

Hugh Hunt, from the Center for Climate Repair at Cambridge University, introduces the Napkin Diagram, illustrating the potential role of SRM in mitigating temperature rise. Paul Beckwith, a prolific climate educator, emphasizes the acceleration of extreme weather events and the failure of natural carbon sinks, highlighting the critical need for innovative solutions. Both experts stress the importance of research into SRM techniques, despite the controversy surrounding them.

The discussion also touches on the challenges of introducing SRM into mainstream climate conversations, including political resistance and concerns about moral hazard. The panelists address the potential of SRM to mitigate risks associated with climate tipping points, such as the potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). They conclude by advocating for more research and small-scale experiments to better understand the impacts and potential benefits of climate engineering techniques.

Links:

• A Climate Vocabulary of the Future, Second Edition

• Healthy Planet Action Coalition

• Centre for Climate Repair - University of Cambridge

• Risk in the Climate Casino (CEF Video)

• Nationally Determined Contribution

Special Guest:

• Professor Hugh Hunt - is Reader in Engineering at the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, and Chair of the Cambridge Climate Lecture Series. He was Co-PI of the SPICE Project which investigated the feasibility of stratospheric aerosol injection for Solar Radiation Management (SRM). Hugh is a leader in public engagement for science and engineering and a recipient of the RAEng Rooke Award.

Regular Panelists:

• Paul Beckwith - Climate Systems Scientist. Professor at the University of Ottawa’s Paleoclimatology Laboratory as well as at Carleton University

• Herb Simmens - Author, Co-founder of the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (HPAC), Climate Emergency Board Member and former college instructor.

Video Production:

• Charles Gregoire - Electrical Engineer, Webmaster and IT prime for FacingFuture.Earth & the Climate Emergency Forum; Climate Reality Leader

• Heidi Brault - Climate Reality Leader, BA(Psychology), Library & Information Technician Diploma - Video production and website assistant - Organizer and convener, Metadata technician, COP Team Lead for FacingFuture.Earth and the Climate Emergency Forum.

Acknowledgement:

We’d like to acknowledge The International Society for Ecological Economics (ISEE) who helped us to attend COP29.

Attributions:

Background Music:

• Title: Through the City II
• Author: Crowander
• Source: crowander.com

Image and Video:

• Image and Video Attributions