Eco-Regeneration & Geoengineering
Comment
Stakeholder Type

Eco-Regeneration & Geoengineering

3

Scientific Platform

Eco-Regeneration & Geoengineering

This is how humans will develop the tools required to decarbonise our economies, establish more sustainable food systems, sustain and enhance our terrestrial, marine and orbital environments and perhaps even mitigate climate change by reducing solar radiation. All of the programmes of research involved offer an important step forward in the story of human progress. Together, they create a portfolio of discovery and action that could be transformative for all our futures.
3.1

Emerging Topic

Decarbonisation

Greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were the largest in history: humanity released 35.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (GtCO2). However, this is just 0.1 per cent more than 2022, raising hopes that emissions are peaking.
3.2

Emerging Topic

Earth Systems Modelling

Also urgent is the development of techniques for Earth systems modelling, an effort to map out and make sense of the many complex interactions and feedbacks that underlie the biological, ecological, atmospheric and geological processes supporting life on this planet. As this field's data-gathering and computer modelling matures, we will have ever-more tools in place to limit the negative impacts of human activities, and to gain warning of significant future events.
3.3

Emerging Topic

Future Food Systems

Suitably managed and directed, a set of ongoing and future science and technology breakthroughs offer an opportunity to sidestep likely problems with food supply, improve food quality and make the production of food more sustainable.
3.4

Emerging Topic

Orbital Environment

Our local region of space offers significant untapped resources: an unrivalled view of Earth, almost unlimited solar power, a high-quality vacuum and microgravity in abundance. For the more ambitious, there is the Moon, Mars and various near-Earth asteroids. Between them, these offer water ice, metals, building materials and real estate.
3.5

Emerging Topic

Ocean Science

Our growing understanding of the ocean offers enormous opportunities, both for the prevention of harm and the enabling of benefits. By better understanding marine ecosystems, we can do a better job of safeguarding them from human impacts like climate change and pollution. We can also develop a sustainable bioeconomy based on marine resources.
3.6

Emerging Topic

Solar Radiation Modification

Solar radiation modification (SRM) is a set of approaches that could fully or partially offset the temperature rise caused by greenhouse-gas emissions, thus reducing some of the harmful impacts of anthropogenic climate change.
3.7

Emerging Topic

Infectious Diseases

The past century has seen enormous progress against some diseases, with the mortality associated with a few diseases — malaria, for instance — falling dramatically. However, infectious diseases remain a major threat to human health and well-being.
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