The document discusses the concept of "hacking the earth" through various geoengineering techniques to address climate change. It notes that while we know what needs to be done, we may not have enough time, and raises the question of how many people are willing to let die. The document outlines some possible geoengineering techniques and acknowledges that geoengineering would be the most complex simulation project ever. It also notes the enormous technical challenges as well as huge ethical and political challenges around issues like liability, control, and strategic misuse. It argues that the choice is between unintended consequences or unprecedented catastrophe, and that working on this issue is about responsibility rather than control. It closes by stating that this is where the work needs to start.

1. HACKING THE EARTH
JAMAIS CASCIO
FUTURESONIC 2009

2. HACKING THE EARTH

3. We know what
we need to do.
HACKING THE EARTH

4. We know what
we need to do.
But we may not
have the time.
HACKING THE EARTH

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9. HOW MANY PEOPLE
ARE WE WILLING TO
LET DIE?
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16. That is our future.
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17. ANTHROPOCENE:
The present geologic epoch, the time in which human activity
has begun to change the geophysical environment.
HACKING THE EARTH

18. ANTHROPOCENE:
The present geologic epoch, the time in which human activity
has begun to change the geophysical environment.
Nature is no longer natural.
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19. The ANTHROPOCENE
can’t be reversed...
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20. ...but it can be hacked.
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21. POSSIBLE GEOENGINEERING TECHNIQUES
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22. THIS IS NOT ABOUT CONTROL.
IT’S ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY.
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24. Geoengineering would
be the most simulation
and model-heavy project
in human history.
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25. The technical and scientific
challenges are enormous.
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26. The ethical and political
challenges are even bigger.
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27. Liability for Disrupted Weather Patterns
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28. Conflicts Over Control
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29. Strategic Misuse
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30. HUBRIS
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31. It’s not a choice between
It’s not a choice between
HUBRISTIC and HUMBLE.
HUBRISTIC and HUMBLE.
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32. It’s a choice between
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES and
UNPRECEDENTED CATASTROPHE
It’s a choice between
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES and
UNPRECEDENTED CATASTROPHE
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34. “We are as gods, so we
may as well get good at it.”
— Stewart Brand
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36. Here’s where we start.
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37. HACKING THE EARTH
JAMAIS CASCIO
OPENTHEFUTURE.COM