Geoengineering, the Anthropocene and the End of Nature - Critical

In this review Jeremy Baskin's Geoengineering, the Anthropocene and the End of Nature is presented as a thoughtful, critical study for readers who want to understand the politics and imaginaries driving solar geoengineering. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its careful unpacking of the assumptions and power relations behind proposals to engineer the climate, making it valuable to scholars and engaged citizens alike rather than readers seeking technical engineering manuals or simple policy prescriptions.

Key Features

• Critical historical context: The book traces the history of geoengineering from early ideas to a mid-2000s revival, helping readers situate contemporary debates in their longer lineage.
• Focus on solar geoengineering: Baskin centers solar approaches, explaining why they are controversial and what makes them distinct from other climate responses.
• Analysis of political imaginaries: The text separates three competing imaginaries-Imperial, Un-Natural, and Chemtrail-clarifying how different worldviews shape arguments for and against geoengineering.
• Attention to power and knowledge: The book examines the relationship between scientific claims, political authority, and whose interests are served by geoengineering proposals.
• Context in international policy: Baskin discusses geoengineering's shadow presence in the Paris climate accord, offering readers insight into real-world policy relevance.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to graduate students, researchers, policy analysts, and informed citizens who want a critical, social-science perspective on climate intervention debates rather than technical engineering detail. Its emphasis on imaginaries and power makes it useful for courses in environmental policy, political ecology, and science and technology studies.

Readers seeking step-by-step technical descriptions of aerosol systems, engineering design specifications, or operational deployment scenarios should look elsewhere; Baskin's strength is conceptual critique and contextual analysis, not engineering blueprints.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear historical framing that helps readers understand how geoengineering ideas resurfaced and evolved.
• Nuanced critique of the political and ethical stakes, helpful for policy discussion and classroom use.
• Concise taxonomy of competing imaginaries that clarifies often conflated public narratives.

Cons

• Limited technical detail for readers expecting engineering specifications or implementation studies.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Jeremy Baskin's book is a well-argued, compact critical study that excels at revealing the assumptions and power dynamics behind solar geoengineering proposals. It represents good value for readers who want a rigorous social and political critique rather than technical engineering guidance, and it will stimulate informed debate in classes and policy fora.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain technical geoengineering designs?
No. The book focuses on political, historical, and ethical analysis rather than engineering blueprints or technical specifications.

Is the Paris Agreement discussed?
Yes. Baskin notes geoengineering's shadow presence in the Paris climate accord and explores its policy implications.

Who will find the book most useful?
Researchers, policy students, and engaged citizens interested in the politics and imaginaries surrounding climate intervention will get the most from it.