|
Subscribe to Solar Geoengineering Updates Substack here:
RESEARCH PAPERSDagan, G., Yeheskel, N., & Williams, A. I. (2023). Radiative forcing from aerosol–cloud interactions enhanced by large-scale circulation adjustments. Nature Geoscience, 1-7.AbstractThe impact of anthropogenic aerosols on clouds is a leading source of uncertainty in estimating the effect of human activity on the climate system. The challenge lies in the scale difference between clouds (~1–10 km) and general circulation and climate (>1,000 km). To address this, we use convection-permitting simulations conducted in a long and narrow domain, to resolve convection while also including a representation of large-scale processes. We examine a set of simulations that include a sea surface temperature gradient—which drives large-scale circulation—and compare these with simulations that include no gradient. We show that the effective radiative forcing due to aerosol–cloud interactions is strongly enhanced by adjustments of large-scale circulation to aerosol. We find that an increase in aerosol concentration suppresses precipitation in shallow-convective regions, which enhances water vapour transport to the portion of the domain dominated by deep convection. The subsequent increase in latent heat release in deep-convective regions strengthens the overturning circulation and surface evaporation. These changes can explain the increase in cloudiness under higher aerosol concentrations and, consequently, the large aerosol radiative effect. This work highlights the fundamental importance of large-scale circulation adjustments in understanding the effective radiative forcing from aerosol–cloud interactions.
Wheeler, L. Zeitler, T. Brunell S., et al. (2023). Performance Assessment for Climate Intervention (PACI): Preliminary Application to a Stratospheric Aerosol Injection Scenario. Front. Environ. Sci. Volume 11.AbstractAs the prospect of exceeding global temperature targets set forth in the Paris Agreement becomes more likely, methods of climate intervention are increasingly being explored. With this increased interest there is a need for an assessment process to understand the range of impacts across different scenarios against a set of performance goals in order to support policy decisions. The methodology and tools developed for Performance Assessment (PA) for nuclear waste repositories shares many similarities with the needs and requirements for a framework for climate intervention. Using PA, we outline and test an evaluation framework for climate intervention, called Performance Assessment for Climate Intervention (PACI) with a focus on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI). We define a set of key technical components for the example PACI framework which include identifying performance goals, the extent of the system, and identifying which features, events, and processes are relevant and impactful to calculating model output for the system given the performance goals. Having identified a set of performance goals, the performance of the system, including uncertainty, can then be evaluated against these goals. Using the Geoengineering Large Ensemble (GLENS) scenario, we develop a set of performance goals for monthly temperature, precipitation, drought index, soil water, solar flux, and surface runoff. The assessment assumes that targets may be framed in the context of risk-risk via a risk ratio, or the ratio of the risk of exceeding the performance goal for the SAI scenario against the risk of exceeding the performance goal for the RCP8.5 scenario. This is a provisional file, not the final typeset article From regional responses, across multiple climate variables, it is then possible to assess which pathway carries lower risk relative to those goals. The assessment is not comprehensive but rather a demonstration of the evaluation of an SAI scenario. Future work is needed to develop a more complete assessment that would provide additional simulations to cover parametric and aleatory uncertainty and enable a deeper understanding of impacts, informed scenario selection, and allow further refinements to the approach.
Usman, H., Qamar, N. S., & Subhani, M. U. Regulating Geoengineering Technologies to Address Climate Change: An International Law Perspective.AbstractThis research paper delves into the need for an international legal framework to regulate geoengineering technologies as the impacts of climate change become increasingly pressing. The paper explores the ethical and environmental principles that should guide the regulation of these technologies, as well as potential human rights implications. The role of public participation, liability and compensation mechanisms, and the precautionary principle are also examined. The paper stresses the need to consider the perspectives and interests of the Global South and recommends further research on the impact of these technologies on marginalized communities and developing countries. Ultimately, this interdisciplinary paper provides insights and recommendations for the development and governance of geoengineering technologies, contributing to the ongoing conversation on climate change and environmental law.
Chuffart, R., Cooper, A. M., Wood-Donnelly, C., & Seddon, L. (2023). Old Sea, New Ice: sea ice geoengineering and indigenous rights in Arctic Ocean governance. The Polar Journal, 1-21.AbstractThis comprehensive paper explores the complex interplay between Arctic sea ice governance, geoengineering, and the rights of Indigenous peoples. It raises critical questions about the feasibility of regulating potential sea ice geoengineering initiatives while upholding Indigenous rights. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the paper investigates diverse perspectives on Arctic sea ice encompassing its roles in climate science, international law, and for Arctic Indigenous peoples, contributing to ongoing discussions on implementing Indigenous rights within Arctic governance and emerging climate technologies. As climate interventions are becoming a likely reality, the paper emphasises the imperative of integrating marine geoengineering responses to climate change into global ocean law and governance, with a specific focus on climate justice and the active involvement of Indigenous and local communities in the decision-making. Using analogies of resource exploitation, this paper also explores whether the conceptualisation of geo-engineered sea ice as a resource and looking at existing international legal frameworks governing resource extraction could enhance the effective implementation of Indigenous rights. The paper contends that there is an urgent need to develop an oceanic ethics component that considers Indigenous rights in the context of geoengineering, and advocates for nature-centric visions, Indigenous-led climate actions, and community-level marine resource management within international legal frameworks to strike a balance between the rights-based approach and emerging climate intervention technologies.
WEB POSTS
REPORTS
DEADLINES
UPCOMING EVENTS
PODCASTSHPAC takeover! Overshoot commission - Field | Reviewer 2 does geoengineering | HPAC takeover! Overshoot commission - Field Reviewer 2 does geoengineering 1:04:23 |
“Good afternoon, Reviewer 2 listeners. Some of us at the Healthy Planet Action Coalition (www.healthyplanetaction.org) have noticed that a few months ago Reviewer 2 experienced a security breach orchestrated by archrival Challenging Climate. Now normally we would refrain from taking advantage of poor Reviewer 2, but we sensed an opportunity that we couldn’t resist and decided to jump into the breach with this discussion about the recent report of the Climate Overshoot Commission (COC) between Chris Field, Stanford Professor and advisor to the COC, and Mike MacCracken, HPAC Steering Circle member and former Executive Director of the Office of the US Global Change Research Program.The Climate Overshoot Commission report "Reducing the Risks of Climate Overshoot" was released on September 14: https://www.overshootcommission.org/_files/ugd/0c3b70_bab3b3c1cd394745b387a594c9a68e2b.pdf. While the COC did not solicit public input, it did hold a series of meetings to learn and discuss the full range of questions facing the international community in dealing with the risk of climate overshoot. Their 4-part high-level recommendations were summarized in the acronym CARE, for Cut (emissions), Adapt, Remove (CO2), and Explore (SRM). Specifically, its recommendation on climate intervention advocated expanding research while placing "a moratorium on the deployment of solar radiation modification and large-scale outdoor experiments that would carry risk of significant trans-boundary harm.”
YOUTUBE VIDEOSBad science and good intentions prevent effective climate action: The Urgent Case for SRM | Paul Beckwith “A crucial paper preprint was just released by Peter Wadham’s and his colleagues making a very strong case for the vital, absolute necessity of studying, scaling, and deployment of Solar Radiation Management (SRM).”
Why should young people engage in solar radiation modification governance discussions? | SRM Youth Watch “We're going to be the ones long term dealing with the consequences and the possibilities and challenges created by this type of technologies and the lack of governance or the governance of it. Stephany Ferreira shares insights on why young people should be involved in Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) governance discussions.”
Sarah Kwerit, Co-Founder Solar Radiation Modification Youth Watch Initiative. | C2G Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative “Sarah Kwerit participated in C2G's Youth Voices for Emerging Climate Governance project; she shared her thoughts on the experience in this final learning diary.”
Why is Solar Radiation Modification Youth Watch initiative important? | SRM Youth Watch “Youth voices are becoming increasingly strong and needed as the youth generation today maybe the most affected by how this generation responds to the threat of Climate Change. Thelma Krug, the former Vice Chair of the IPCC, shares insights at SRM Youth Watch Launch event during New York Climate Week.”
Why is inclusion critical to effective governance on Solar Radiation Modification? | SRM Youth Watch “Joshua Amponsem is a Ghanaian climate activist and Co-Director of the new Youth Climate Justice Fund initiative. He is the former Climate Lead at the Office of the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth. He has over 8 years of experience working with young people on Climate Action, Disaster Risk, and Resilience Building. He founded Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), served as a member of the IRENA Global Council on Enabling Youth Action for SDG 7, and has been an Adaptation Fellow at the Global Center on Adaptation(GCA).”
| |
