Geoengineering refers to a set of emerging technologies aimed at manipulating the environment to mitigate the long-term effects of climate change. While this term might not be familiar to many, its relevance is skyrocketing. In fact, posts on social media platform X featuring the hashtag #GeoEngineering more than doubled globally in the first half of 2024 compared to the latter half of 2023, according to BBC Verify.
However, much of this online chatter is not focused on the scientific potential of geoengineering. Instead, many posts are intertwined with climate-related conspiracy theories. A notable example is the recent swathe of posts on X and TikTok claiming that Hurricane Milton was engineered (BBC Verify).
The Royal Meteorological Society have already raised concerns over the effect that these conspiracy theories have on weather forecasters, after it was found they face increasing amounts of harassment online. But the ramifications of these conspiracy theories extend far beyond personal attacks. Recent research indicates that negative beliefs about Geoengineering can significantly influence public perceptions of climate change policies, which can, in turn, affect funding and research initiatives crucial for combating climate change.
Building public trust is essential for ensuring that climate policies are not only accepted but also supported by the community, so it is increasingly important that these challenges are addressed and discussions around geoengineering are grounded in scientific understanding rather than speculation and fear. Conspiracy theories thrive in situations of uncertainty and contradiction, so if geoengineering presents promising avenues for tackling climate change, open dialogue and transparency are essential to foster effective climate action.