• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
Democracy
  • Donate
Podcast Episode

The Geopolitics of Climate Engineering: A Climate Lifeline or Pandora’s Box?

Sophia sits down with Cynthia Scharf, a senior fellow at the International Center for Future Generations, to discuss the geopolitics of solar geoengineering.

Link Copied
By Sophia Besch and Cynthia Scharf
Published on Sep 26, 2024

Subscribe on

YoutubeSpotifyApple PodcastsOvercastPlayer FM

In the fight against climate change, a controversial new idea is gaining traction: solar geoengineering. Solar geoengineering, or solar radiation modification, is an emerging technology that aims to reflect sunlight back into space to cool planet Earth. In a world that is struggling to bring about the behavioral and political changes needed to reduce climate change, an innovative tech approach might seem like an alluring silver bullet. 

But the reality is not so simple. In this episode, Sophia sits down with Cynthia Scharf, a senior fellow at the International Center for Future Generations and former senior strategy director for the Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative. They discuss solar geoengineering's risks and promises, as well as its implications for geopolitics and conflict.

Hosted by

Sophia Besch
Senior Fellow, Europe Program
Sophia Besch

Featuring

Cynthia Scharf

Cynthia Scharf is a senior fellow at the International Center for Future Generations.

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from The World Unpacked

  • Podcast Episode
    How a Progressive POTUS Would Change the World

    Matt Duss, a former advisor to Bernie Sanders, is a leading figure in progressive foreign policy. On this episode of The World Unpacked, Matt lays out a global vision based on solidarity and harm reduction.

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Matthew Duss

  • Podcast Episode
    Oren Cass: How Economists Failed America

    Oren Cass is driving these debates as one of the most influential conservative thinkers of the Trump era. Cutting against traditional GOP orthodoxy, he has long argued for more tariffs, trade barriers, and worker protections—anticipating and influencing many of Trump’s policies. Oren joined Jon Bateman on The World Unpacked to explore the China shock, AI disruption, and Alexander Hamilton. 


      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Oren Cass

  • Jeff Stern
    Podcast Episode
    How Smart Bombs Enable Dumb Wars

    The Paveway bomb, invented by Texas Instruments in the 1970s, was the first truly precise munition.  It revolutionized America’s air campaign in Vietnam and allowed whole new kinds of “limited” U.S. wars in Libya, Iraq, Serbia, and beyond. 

      • Jon Bateman
      • Jeff Stern

      Jon Bateman, Jeffrey E. Stern

  • Podcast Episode
    The Global Race to Reinvent Meat
      • Jon Bateman
      • Bruce Friedrich

      Jon Bateman, Bruce Friedrich

  • Podcast Episode
    Every War Is Now a Drone War

    Steve Feldstein, a leading expert on technology and warfare, joined Jon Bateman on The World Unpacked to break down these trends.  Are drones helping defenders deter aggression, or enabling attackers to slaughter more civilians?  Why haven’t we seen full autonomy?  And has the U.S. fallen behind in the weapon class that it first pioneered? 

      • Jon Bateman

      Jon Bateman, Steve Feldstein

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600Fax: 202 483 1840
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.