Perceptions of enhanced weathering as a biological negative emissions option.

ABSTRACT: This paper addresses the social acceptability of enhanced weathering, a technology that would involve spreading silicate particles over terrestrial surfaces in order to boost the biological processes that currently sequester CO2 as part of the earth's natural carbon cycle. We present the first exploration of British attitudes towards enhanced weathering, using an online survey (n = 935) of a representative quota sample of the public. Baseline awareness of weathering was extremely low. Many respondents remained undecided or neutral about risks, although more people support than oppose weathering. Factors predicting support for weathering and its research included feelings about the technology and trust in scientists. Over half of the sample agrees that scientists should be able to conduct r

SUBMITTER: Pidgeon NF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5414695 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature