Messing with Nature? Environmental Ethics and the Challenge of Geoengineering

This thesis argues that at least some forms of large-scale intentional modification of the climate (geoengineering) are compatible with core environmental ethics perspectives. Though environmental ethics has typically presumed against drastic alterations of the natural world, I argue that many core positions within the environmental ethics discipline do not provide grounds for a blanket rejection of geoengineering. Additionally, I argue that perspectives which do categorically reject geoengineering lack compelling reasons for acceptance. Recognising this allows environmentalists (those who would accept environmental ethics arguments) greater scope to participate in geoengineering project design; allowing them a seat at the table which they can occupy without a fundamental breach of their core ethical beliefs. I end with a discussion of principles that could govern a specifically environmentalist geoengineering.