Solar Geoengineering Weekly Summary (17 March - 23 March 2025)
37 views
Skip to first unread message
Geoengineering News
Mar 24, 2025, 5:19:26 PM3/24/25
to geoengineering
Your weekly roundup of SRM updates from the past week (17 March - 23 March 2025)
By Andrew Lockley | 24 March 2025
Subscribe for monthly SRM updates here:
 |
- This Week’s Top SRM Highlights
- Research Papers
- Abstracts Submitted for EGU25
- Web Posts
- Upcoming Events
- Job Opportunity
- Podcasts
- YouTube Videos
 |
PAPER: Partisanship overcomes framing in shaping solar geoengineering perceptions: Evidence from a conjoint experiment (npj Climate Action)
PAPER: Practical Paths to Risk-Risk Analysis of Solar Radiation Modification (Oxford Open Climate Change)
RESPONSE: Solar Geoengineering: A conversation we cannot afford to ignore (Janos Pasztor)
EXPLAINER: Geoengineering quantified: Heat is deadlier than air pollution (cipher)
Q&A: Q&A with Shuchi Talati: Considering uncertainties in solar geoengineering (One Earth)
UPCOMING EVENT: Making sense of calls for bans and moratoria for solar geoengineering (SRM360)
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Geoengineering Law and Policy Project Director | Deadline: March 31 (UCLA School of Law)
VIDEO: Global Climate Emotions and Support for Climate Intervention Technologies (Remove and Reflect Podcast)
Read on to lean more:
 |
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection Would Change Cloud Brightness
Gristey, J. J., & Feingold, G. (2025). Stratospheric aerosol injection would change cloud brightness. Geophysical Research Letters, 52(6), e2024GL113914.
Synopsis: This study identifies "diffusion-brightening," an unrecognized effect of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, where altered radiation angles enhance cloud albedo without direct aerosol injection. Idealized calculations suggest this effect could increase cloud reflectivity by ~10%, potentially exceeding SAI’s direct radiative impact in many cloudy regions, influencing global climate.
Practical Paths to Risk-Risk Analysis of Solar Radiation Modification
Felgenhauer, T., Bala, G., Borsuk, M., Camilloni, I., Wiener, J., & Xu, J. (2025). Practical Paths to Risk-Risk Analysis of Solar Radiation Modification. Oxford Open Climate Change, kgaf012.
Synopsis: This study proposes a risk-risk framework to compare SAI against non-SAI scenarios, outlining four key steps to assess impacts. An initial analysis highlights challenges and suggests ways to improve decision-making in climate risk management.
Geoengineering, the Precautionary Principle, and the Search For Climate Safety
Davies, G., & Vinders, J. (2025). Geoengineering, the Precautionary Principle, and the Search For Climate Safety. European Journal of Risk Regulation, 1-12.
Synopsis: This article examines how the EU's precautionary principle applies to solar geoengineering decision-making. It highlights complexities, including conflicts between research as a precautionary measure and concerns over its political impact. While geoengineering poses risks, it is also framed as a precautionary response to climate change. The study concludes that applying the principle requires comprehensive scientific reviews, though expert reports on Solar Radiation Modification have not fully adhered to this approach.
Simulation of the Effects of SO2 Injection into the Stratosphere on Precipitation and Temperature Regimes in the Sahel, West Africa
Coulibaly, T. S., Sanogo, S., Diarra, C., Maiga, M. I., & Traore, I. (2025). Simulation of the Effects of SO2 Injection into the Stratosphere on Precipitation and Temperature Regimes in the Sahel, West Africa. Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 13(3), 206-237.
Synopsis: This study examines Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI) as a climate intervention for the Sahel, using IPSL-CM5A-LR model simulations under historical, RCP4.5, and geoengineered (G3) scenarios. Results show SAI moderates seasonal temperatures, particularly in summer, reducing heat stress. However, precipitation impacts vary, with increased rainfall in June-July but reductions in May, June, and August. The findings highlight SAI’s potential benefits and risks, emphasizing the need for further research.
Partisanship overcomes framing in shaping solar geoengineering perceptions: Evidence from a conjoint experiment
Magistro, B., Debnath, R., Wennberg, P.O. et al. (2025). Partisanship overcomes framing in shaping solar geoengineering perceptions: Evidence from a conjoint experiment. npj Clim. Action 4, 29.
Synopsis: Public perceptions of solar geoengineering remain underexplored, especially in the polarized U.S. political landscape. This study uses a conjoint experiment with 2,123 voters to assess the influence of SG narratives and partisan information sources. Results show that partisan alignment with the messenger strongly shapes trust and support for SG, outweighing message framing effects. Despite these influences, policy preferences remain ideologically consistent, highlighting challenges in depolarizing climate debates.
Investigating the ability of satellite occultation instruments to monitor possible geoengineering experiments—Preprint
Lange, A., Niemeier, U., Rozanov, A., & von Savigny, C. (2025). Investigating the ability of satellite occultation instruments to monitor possible geoengineering experiments. EGUsphere, 2025, 1-25.
Synopsis: SRM aims to modify Earth's radiation budget by injecting sulfur compounds into the stratosphere to form aerosols. This study uses MAECHAM5-HAM simulations and SCIATRAN retrievals to assess whether satellite occultation instruments can detect aerosols from 1–2 Tg S/year emissions. Results suggest detection is possible in the steady-state phase but not in the first month of deployment, providing insight into monitoring small-scale SRM experiments.
A computationally efficient method to model Stratospheric Aerosol Injection experiments—Preprint
de Jong, J., Pflüger, D., Wieners, C. E., Baatsen, M., Wijngaard, R., & Lingbeek, S. (2025). A computationally efficient method to model stratospheric aerosol injection experiments.
Synopsis: This study proposes a novel method to bypass interactive chemistry, significantly reducing computational costs. Using pre-existing SAI experiment data, it derives relationships to determine aerosol forcing fields dynamically. Simulations using this approach closely match full-complexity models across different versions, resolutions, and scenarios, enabling more efficient SAI research.
 |
 |
The response of deep convection to solar geoengineering (Alzbeta Pechacova, Lokahith Agasthya, and Caroline Muller)
The roles and potential of resilience-based management for sustainable decision-making in geoengineering (Marco Uzielli)
The impact of Sulphate Aerosol Geoengineering on Tropical Cyclones (Jasper de Jong, Michiel Baatsen, and Claudia Wieners)
Navigating Climate Intervention Research Issues and Opportunities: A Thoughtful and Inclusive Path Forward (Billy Williams, Mark Shimamoto, Janice Lachance, and Lexi Shultz)
Rethinking Glacier Insulation in the Alpine Space: Microplastic Concerns and Sustainable Materials (Birgit Sattler, Klemens Weisleitner, Patrick Schwenter, and Alessandro Cuzzeri)
Engagement at the society-science-policy interface at the German Environment Agency (using Solar Radiation Modification as an example) (Leonie Bronkalla)
Modeling Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics in Response to Solar Radiation Management (Marta Corrà, Antoine Hermant, Daniele Visioni, Paul Brent Goddard, Anthony Jones, Emma Spezia, and Johannes Sutter)
Asian Summer Monsoon Exacerbates the transport efficiency of Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (Ye Lu, Jianchun Bian, and Dan Li)
Impact of Geoengineering in Offsetting Climate Change-Induced Dam Break Risk (Anubhav Goel and Vemavarapu Venkata Srinivas)
Leveraging Integrated Assessment Models to Assess Socioeconomic Impacts of Potential Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (Peter Ansah)
 |
Environmental consequences of interacting effects of changes in stratospheric ozone, ultraviolet radiation, and climate: UNEP Environmental Effects Assessment Panel, Update 2024 (Springer Nature Link)
Solar Geoengineering: A conversation we cannot afford to ignore (Janos Pasztor)
Geoengineering quantified: Heat is deadlier than air pollution (cipher)
Q&A with Shuchi Talati: Considering uncertainties in solar geoengineering (One Earth)
Alternative Particles Could Reduce the Side Effects of SAI (SRM360)
Ocean dumping – or a climate solution? A growing industry bets on the ocean to capture carbon (AP News)
Inside a new quest to save the “doomsday glacier” (MIT Technology Review)
A Mysterious Startup Is Developing a New Form of Solar Geoengineering (Wired)
Geoengineering discourse confronting climate change: the move from margins to mainstream in science, news media, and politics (Taylor & Francis Online)
 |
Solar radiation modification: What’s the debate, and why does it matter? by Scientific Advice Mechanism by the EU | 02 April 2025 | Online
(NEW) Making sense of calls for bans and moratoria for solar geoengineering by SRM360 | 09 April 2025 | Online
2025 Solar Radiation Management Annual Meeting by Simons Foundation | 24-25 April 2025 | New York
The 2025 Degrees Global Forum | 12-16 May 2025 | Cape Town, South Africa
Consultative Workshop and Science-Policy Dialogue on Solar Radiation Modification by UNEP | 19-20 May 2025 | Switzerland
Artic Repair Conference 2025 by University of Cambridge & Center for Climate Repair | 26-28 June 2025 | Cambridge UK
Solar Geoengineering Events Calendar
 |
Geoengineering Law and Policy Project Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, UCLA School of Law | Deadline to apply: 31 March 2025
"The Project Director will develop and oversee a portfolio of high-impact project activities to advance understanding and practice related to the law and policy of geoengineering (active technological interventions to manage climate change and its impacts); develop and manage partnerships with a diverse international group of collaborators; supervise project research staff and contractors; collaborate with Emmett Institute and Law School staff on project-related administrative matters; and raise external resources to support the ongoing activities and expansion of the project. The Project Director will dually report to the Emmett Institute faculty director and deputy director, and will work at the direction of, and in collaboration with, the Emmett Institute executive director, deputy director, and faculty directors and co-directors. Depending on their interests and other commitments, the Project Director may develop opportunities for UCLA students related to the law and policy of geoengineering."
 |
Geoengineering | The Ecopolitics Podcast
"In this episode, we delve into the world of climate intervention and geoengineering, specifically focusing on solar geoengineering, also known as solar radiation modification (SRM). Host Ryan Katz-Rosene explores the complexities of this technology with two leading experts. First, we hear from Dr. Pete Irvine, as he breaks down the science behind SRM, particularly stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), discusses the potential benefits and risks. Irvine addresses the current state of research and the ongoing debate surrounding field experiments. Then, we shift gears to hear from Dr. Aarti Gupta, who provides a crucial counterpoint, highlighting the voices of many in the academic community and beyond who are deeply concerned about the potential deployment of solar geoengineering. She emphasizes growing opposition from the Global South, the disproportionate impact concerning vulnerable nations and Indigenous communities, and the governance challenges that this technology presents."
News Roundup: the next IPCC report, alternative aerosol particles, and more | Climate Reflections: The SRM360 Podcast
  | News Roundup: the next IPCC report, alternative aerosol particles, and more Climate Reflections: The SRM360 Podcast 31:28 |
"In a contentious meeting in late February, the IPCC agreed on outlines that include discussions of SRM for its 7th assessment report. For the first time in IPCC history, the US was notably absent, having been banned from participation by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, Raymond Pierrehumbert and Michael Mann, two prominent climate scientists and critics of SRM argue that the UK government should pull the plug on their Advanced Research and Invention Agency - or Aria - which was created by an act of Parliament and intends to commit £56.8 million or about $73 million to projects that evaluate the feasibility, scalability, and safety of solar geoengineering ideas.
In this monthly news roundup, Pete Irvine discusses these and other recent SRM-relevant developments with experts Sandro Vattioni, Post Doctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Physics at ETH Zurich, Alfonso Fernández, Full Professor of Physical Geography at Universidad de Concepción in Chile, Daniele Visioni, Assistant Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Science at Cornell University, and Tyler Felgenhauer, Senior Research Scientist at Duke University and the Duke Center on Risk."
 |
Bye Bye 1.5, What's Next? | Climate Emergency Forum
"Join us for a critical discussion on the state of global warming and the implications of surpassing the 1.5°C target. The panel delves into the urgent realities of climate change exploring how feedback loops, such as wetlands emitting more methane and the Arctic switching from a carbon sink to a source, are accelerating climate disruption beyond human control. The conversation highlights the need for immediate action to mitigate these effects and prevent catastrophic outcomes.
The experts emphasize that the world is not just at 1.5°C but committed to far exceed this threshold due to lag effects and weakening carbon sinks. Peter Carter stresses the importance of understanding that even with drastic emission cuts, the planet will continue to warm due to existing commitments. Paul Beckwith discusses the challenges of restoring natural carbon sinks and the potential for geoengineering as a means to cool the planet quickly. Both speakers underscore the critical need for a multifaceted approach, including emission reductions, CO2 removal, and climate intervention methods."
Global Climate Emotions and Support for Climate Intervention Technologies | Remove and Reflect Podcast
"In this episode, our hosts Mr. Sun (AI-character) & Ms. Remove (AI-character) deep dived into a new research article that investigates the relationship between climate emotions and public support for climate intervention technologies across 30 countries, surveying over 30,000 individuals. The study mapped global incidences of fear, hope, anger, sadness, and worry related to climate change, revealing differences based on a country's level of development, with advanced economies reporting weaker climate emotions. Furthermore, it analyzed how these emotions correlate with support for and perceptions of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and solar radiation modification (SRM), finding hope and worry to be consistently positive predictors of support. Finally, the research explored whether reading about different climate intervention categories influenced reported climate emotions, noting that information on ecosystems-based CDR increased hope compared to SRM.
Paper: Baum, C. M., Brutschin, E., Fritz, L., & Sovacool, B. K. (2025). A new hope or phantom menace? Exploring climate emotions and public support for climate interventions across 30 countries. Risk Analysis.
Note: This audio is entirely AI-generated"
Physics Colloquium, "An Introduction to Climate Engineering" | Physics CU Boulder
"Presented by: David Keith, University of Chicago
Host: Eric Cornell
Date: February 26, 2025
Abstract: It is possible to reduce some of the climate risks of accumulated CO2 by deliberately altering the Earth's albedo using Sunlight Reflection Methods (SRM) also called solar geoengineering. It is possible to remove carbon from the atmosphere at large scale using various methods for Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR). Estimates of the cost, risks, and efficacy of these tools will remain uncertain but it is now possible to make some policy-relevant quantitative comparisons between risks and benefits, and to speculate about the appropriate use of energy-system decarbonization, CDR, and SRM."
The Power Struggle Behind Climate Change Solutions with Rajan M., Founder, Climate Action Labs | In Pursuit Of!
"Climate change is everyone’s problem, but why aren’t we acting fast enough? In this episode of In Pursuit Of, we sit down with Rajan Mehta, author of Backstage Climate, to explore the political, economic, and social barriers slowing down climate action. He explains why individuals, companies, and governments hesitate to make real changes and how technology like direct air capture, methane reduction, and solar geoengineering could help—or create new risks."
Follow us on:
Twitter | Bluesky | YouTube | Substack | Google Group | Podcast 1 | Podcast 2
Support us here:
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages