Abstract
This chapter provides a wide-ranging survey of technological options for addressing global warming problems. Technological innovations can occur through either breakthrough technologies or incremental technologies. Technological breakthroughs surveyed in the chapter include nuclear fusion, nuclear fission with an enhanced safety and storage system, solar energy, climate engineering, carbon-capture-and-storage, ocean iron fertilization, natural geoengineering electric vehicles, and revolutions in lighting methods. Incremental technologies are those technological advances that help private actors adapt to climatic changes, which include many technological improvements in natural resource sectors and the energy system. Economic aspects of technological innovations are explicated through the concepts of backstop technology, technological induction, uncertainty, and option value. As a global warming policy alternative, a solution by technological fixes has salient drawbacks: how to make breakthrough technologies realized in time and whether private actors will adopt breakthrough and incremental technologies for the benefit of global climate stability.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
