| SOLAR GEOENGINEERING WEEKLY SUMMARY (21 OCTOBER - 27 OCTOBER 2024)
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RESEARCH PAPERSLin, C., Li, K., Li, M., Dopphoopha, B., Zheng, J., Wang, J., ... & Huang, B. (2024). Pushing Radiative Cooling Technology to Real Applications. Advanced Materials, 2409738. Abstract Radiative cooling is achieved by controlling surface optical behavior toward solar and thermal radiation, offering promising solutions for mitigating global warming, promoting energy saving, and enhancing environmental protection. Despite significant efforts to develop optical surfaces in various forms, five primary challenges remain for practical applications: enhancing optical efficiency, maintaining appearance, managing overcooling, improving durability, and enabling scalable manufacturing. However, a comprehensive review bridging these gaps is currently lacking. This work begins by introducing the optical fundamentals of radiative cooling and its potential applications. It then explores the challenges and discusses advanced solutions through structural design, material selection, and fabrication processes. It aims to provide guidance for future research and industrial development of radiative cooling technology.
Brutschin, E., Baum, C. M., Fritz, L., Low, S., Sovacool, B. K., & Riahi, K. (2024). Drivers and attitudes of public support for technological solutions to climate change in 30 countries. Environmental Research Letters, 19(11), 114098. Abstract Some experts contend that addressing global climate challenges requires consideration of technologies such as Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and, possibly, Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). Previous studies, primarily centered on the OECD region, have indicated that most of these technologies are contentious, eliciting low levels of public support. By conducting a set of nationally representative surveys examining seven CDR and three SRM technologies in 30 countries, we show that public skepticism is most prominent in wealthier countries. Respondents from these countries express lower confidence in the potential of science and technology to address climate change, diminished trust in industry, and expect to experience less personal harm from climate change. At the same time, there are many countries, not previously studied, where the levels of support for CDR and SRM are relatively high. As middle-income countries, their capability to effectively implement these technologies may be deficient; additionally, there is a risk of the unilateral implementation of certain technologies with uncertain implications in terms of their impacts on climate. This underscores the necessity for long term climate strategies that are context-specific and tailored to individual countries, while moreover emphasizing the imperative for extensive international collaboration, including through technological and financial transfers. Finally, strong international governance structures, especially in the context of SRM, are crucial to ensure a responsible approach towards these technologies.
Fernández, A., Manquehual-Cheuque, F., & Somos-Valenzuela, M. (2024). Impact of Solar Radiation Management on Andean glacier-wide surface mass balance. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 7(1), 257. Abstract Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is a climate intervention strategy aimed at mitigating global warming by reducing incoming solar radiation. We investigate the potential influence of SRM on Andean glacier-wide surface mass balance, as glaciers are crucial for downstream ecological functions along the west coast of South America. We numerically simulate the surface mass balance response of thousands of glaciers to SRM and other climate change scenarios throughout the 21st century. Results indicate Pan-Andean negative mass balance, irrespective of the scenario or glacier-climate regimes. However, SRM tends to modify interannual variability and temperature sensitivity in several regions. Our findings also suggest that if SRM had been implemented in the late 1980’s, it would have been effective in avoiding the negative trajectory seen today. The Andes feature nearly all mountain hydroclimatic regimes, representing a globally relevant example of SRM impacts. These findings emphasize the urgency of drastic emissions reduction.
WEB POSTS
REPORTS
JOB OPPORTUNITIES"The Atmospheric Physics Group of Prof. Ulrike Lohmann at the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences at ETH Zurich (IAC-ETH) invites applications for a 2-year Postdoc position within the project "Glaciogenic seeding on mixed-phase clouds for radiation management (GLANCE)", funded by the Solar Radiation Management (SRM) programme of the Simons Foundation."
"Hongwei Sun Group focuses on developing and applying various modeling methods to study multiscale atmospheric processes, including (1) large-scale stratospheric transport, dynamics, and aerosols and (2) small-scale aerosol-cloud interactions. Students can also study applications of (1) and (2) in climate engineering (or geoengineering) if interested."
UPCOMING EVENTSEthics and Governance (title TBA) | 06 November 2024Good COP, Bad COP: a post-COP29 assessment | 27 November 2024
Solar Geoengineering Events Calendar
YOUTUBE VIDEOSSolar Geoengineering: Benefits & Risks with Daniele Visioni | Climate Chat "In this Climate Chat episode, we will discuss the benefits and risks of cooling the Earth by implementing solar geoengineering (a.k.a, Solar Radiation Management or Sunlight Reflection Methods - SRM) with Cornell climate scientist Daniele Visioni."
Solar Geoengineering Research Program Lunch Talk with Daniele Visioni | The Salata Institute at Harvard University "Daniele Visioni obtained his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics from the University of L’Aquila, in Italy, in 2018. He moved to Cornell in the same year, where he started as a Postdoctoral Associate in the Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. In 2022, he continued on as a Research Associate in the same department, and also became a Research Scientist I at the National Center for Atmospheric Science (NCAR). He joined EAS in the fall of 2023 as Assistant Professor, and retains a courtesy appointment as Affiliate Scientist at NCAR in the Atmospheric Chemistry, Observation and Modeling (ACOM) lab. He’s the co-chair of the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP), and has been a coauthor of the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2022."
LIVE SHOW - Solar Geoengineering: Should we go there? - Part II | Energy vs Climate "David and Ed hit the stage at the Energy Disruptors: UNITE 2024 summit in Calgary to discuss solar geoengineering, a major focus of David's academic research. Together, they unpack the technical and non-technical dimensions of solar geoengineering, including global governance and decision making."
Arctic Modeling Research on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection and Solar Radiation Modification | IARPC Collaborations "This meeting of the Modelers Community of Practice focused on the federal government's role in research into solar radiation modification (SRM), a potential means to mask the effects of global warming. We explored the intersection of Earth system modeling, SRM research, and the Arctic Research Plan, and looked at modeling results. Gregory Frost and Victoria Breeze (NOAA) presented on NOAA's Earth Radiation Budget Program. Ewa Bednarz (CIRES/NOAA) presented "Stratospheric Aerosol Injection: Modeling the Impacts on Atmospheric Radiation, Dynamics and Chemistry."
Has the Atlantic AMOC system ALREADY started to collapse?? | Just Have a Think "AMOC, or The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, has collapsed many times in Earth's geological history. But it's never happened while modern civilisations have existed - at least not until now anyway. We're already struggling to cope with 0.2 degrees Celsius of warming each decade, but an AMOC collapse could bring such catastrophic seasonal disruption that it would make recent extreme weather events look like a walk in the park! So, what's the plan??"
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