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Thinking negatively about negative emissions technologies: the via negativa, carbon thinking, and climate ethics

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  • Forrest Clingerman

    (Ohio Northern University)

Abstract

The ancient and medieval method of the via negativa, or “way of negation,” is a method for thinking the unthinkable in philosophy, ethics, and religion. What happens when we consider the “negative” of negative emissions technologies (NETs) as a similar call to think negatively? The comparison uncovers how thinking “in the negative” is a metaphorical practice rather than a technical object. Seeing negative carbon thinking in this way highlights some of the challenges of current climate policies. Following a brief description of the “way of negation” as a theological method and a discussion of NETs and carbon removal, this essay suggests three lessons for ethical and political discussions of NETs: the need to use the phrase “NETs” as a metaphor, the inseparability of negative and affirmative proposals in climate policy, and the recognition that the phrase “NETs” is used as a practice of thinking, not a technological object for deployment.

Suggested Citation

  • Forrest Clingerman, 2022. "Thinking negatively about negative emissions technologies: the via negativa, carbon thinking, and climate ethics," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(3), pages 466-474, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jenvss:v:12:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s13412-022-00748-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s13412-022-00748-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher J. Preston, 2013. "Ethics and geoengineering: reviewing the moral issues raised by solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(1), pages 23-37, January.
    2. Wim Carton & Adeniyi Asiyanbi & Silke Beck & Holly J. Buck & Jens F. Lund, 2020. "Negative emissions and the long history of carbon removal," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(6), November.
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