Climate Engineering (Geoengineering): Can Technology Reverse Global Warming?

In early 2026, the conversation around Climate Engineering (also known as geoengineering) has reached a fever pitch. As global temperatures in 2025 and early 2026 hit record highs—frequently hovering near or temporarily exceeding the $1.5^\circ\text{C}$ threshold—the scientific community is shifting from “research only” to “emergency feasibility” studies.

Technically, we cannot yet “reverse” global warming with a single switch, but 2026 has seen massive breakthroughs in two primary technological pathways.

☀️ 1. Solar Radiation Modification (SRM)

SRM aims to reflect a small percentage of sunlight back into space to cool the planet quickly. In 2026, this is the most controversial yet technically “ready” option.

• Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI): This involves spraying reflective particles (like sulfur dioxide or calcium carbonate) into the upper atmosphere.
  • The 2026 Breakthrough: Recent modeling and small-scale atmospheric tests suggest that injecting roughly 20 megatons of sulfates could reduce global temperatures by approximately $1^\circ\text{C}$ within just one to two years.
  • The Risk: Scientists warn of “Termination Shock”—if we start this and suddenly stop, the “hidden” warming would return instantly, potentially causing a $2^\circ\text{C}$ to $3^\circ\text{C}$ spike in a single decade.
• Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB): Using ships to spray saltwater mist into low-lying ocean clouds to make them whiter and more reflective. In early 2026, localized “cloud brightening” trials are being monitored to protect coral reefs from bleaching.

🧊 2. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

While SRM hides the heat, CDR tries to remove the “blanket” (CO2) entirely. 2026 is being called the “Year of Execution” for these technologies.

• Direct Air Capture (DAC): Massive fans pull CO2 directly from the sky.
  • 2026 Milestone: The first “Giga-scale” plants are beginning construction this year. A major breakthrough in January 2026 introduced a one-step electrode process that turns exhaust CO2 directly into useful solid materials (like carbon nanotubes) without needing a separate purification step.
• Enhanced Rock Weathering: This involves spreading crushed silicate rocks (like basalt) over vast farmlands. The rocks naturally absorb CO2 as they dissolve. In 2026, this is being scaled across tropical regions, where humidity speeds up the chemical reaction.
• Ocean Fertilization: Scientists are testing “Iron Fertilization” to spark massive plankton blooms that suck up CO2 and sink it to the deep ocean floor when they die. However, 2026 reports show mixed results, as some iron forms are not “bio-available” for the plankton.

⚖️ The 2026 Ethical Deadlock

Despite the technical progress, geoengineering faces a “Global Red Light” from many environmental bodies: