Summary/Abstract
This Article finds a pressing need for greater governance of geoengineering research and tackles the difficult but essential task of developing mechanisms to address these systemic concerns in addition to the physical risks of geoengineering research. The Article reviews existing proposals for geoengineering research governance and finds that they fail to address important, systemic concerns regarding technological lock-in, moral hazard, and potential military conflict. The Article further discusses the desired characteristics of a prospective geoengineering research governance regime and offers specific recommendations. An ongoing programmatic technology assessment can analyze systemic concerns and promote public deliberation on geoengineering research and deployment. Policy makers can use the results of such an assessment to inform decisions and institute safeguards against the physical and systemic hazards of geoengineering research.