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THIS WEEK’S TOP SRM UPDATES
Research Paper: Stratospheric aerosol injection geoengineering has the potential to increase land carbon storage and to protect the Amazon rainforest (EGU)
Preprint: The enhanced capabilities of mid-infrared limb emission sounding to observe stratospheric aerosol injection geoengineering interventions (EGUsphere)
Thesis: Investigation of volcanic effects on the particle size of stratospheric aerosols (Universität Greifswald)
Report: The health implications of SRM ethics and governance: a Global South perspective (Zenodo)
New Initiative Launched: A bold research initiative to stabilize the Arctic (The ARC: Thoughts on a safe climate future)
News Piece: British scientists firing salt water into clouds in bold attempt to cool Earth (CBN)
Job Opportunity: Research Associate in Climate Dynamics (Imperial College London)
Workshop: Frontiers in Engineering for Sunlight Reflection (Reflective)
Upcoming Event: A Polarised Debate: Is There a Middle Ground on Geoengineering? (Center for Climate Repair)
Podcast: As Temperatures Rise, Could Dimming the Sun Be a Solution? (Aspen Ideas)
Video: Would Solar Geoengineering Transform or Preserve Nature? (SRM360)
Short Course: SRM & CDR Short Course 2026 at University of Cape Coast (Emerging Climate Frontiers)
Read on to unpack more updates:
RESEARCH PAPERS
Who Controls the Climate? Negotiating the Global Governance of Geo-engineering: A non-scorable real-world negotiation Simulation
Authors: Peter Kesting, Remigiusz Smolinski
Synopsis: This study explores geoengineering governance through a simulated international negotiation. Participants represent pro-innovation and precautionary perspectives, addressing risks like environmental harm, inequity, and potential weaponization. In the absence of clear global rules, the exercise highlights tensions between technological promise and climate justice, aiming to develop shared principles and policy recommendations for responsible geoengineering governance.
An unrecognized mode of small particles in the lower stratosphere
Authors: Ming Lyu, Adam T. Ahern et al.
Synopsis: Aircraft observations reveal that sub–150 nm particles dominate aerosol surface area in the lower stratosphere, forming a persistent bimodal distribution missed by models. These particles originate from both meteoric sulfuric acid and organic-rich tropospheric sources, influencing chemistry and ozone. Their presence affects aerosol growth and reactivity, introducing key uncertainties for climate modeling and SAI effectiveness.
Stratospheric aerosol injection geoengineering has the potential to increase land carbon storage and to protect the Amazon rainforest
Authors: Isobel M. Parry, Paul D. L. Ritchie, Olivier Boucher, Peter M. Cox, et al.
Synopsis: This study finds that SAI-based SRM can increase global vegetation productivity (+15.6% NPP) and land carbon storage (+5.9%) compared to SSP245, mainly due to CO₂ fertilization. Strong gains occur in the Amazon, suggesting protection against carbon loss. However, regional declines in productivity and carbon storage appear in areas like eastern Africa, Indonesia, and high latitudes, highlighting uneven ecological impacts.
The Solar radiation management and evaporative heat flux over West Africa: Insights from ERA5 Reanalysis, CMIP6 Models, and Stratospheric Aerosol Injection
Authors: Adenuga, K., Adenuga, K. P., Israel, E., Ojo, O. S., Oloniyo, O., Adeyemi, B., & Agele, S.
Synopsis: This study examines how SRM via SAI affects latent heat flux (LE) across West Africa using ERA5, CMIP6 (SSP245/585), and ARISE-SAI simulations. LE shows a strong coastal–Sahel gradient driven by moisture availability. Under SSP585, warming intensifies evaporative stress and drought risk. SAI moderates warming, reduces extreme LE, and shifts conditions toward pre-industrial levels, with strongest cooling in humid coastal regions - suggesting potential benefits for regional water and food security.
The enhanced capabilities of mid-infrared limb emission sounding to observe stratospheric aerosol injection geoengineering interventions - Preprint
Authors: Pasquale Sellitto, Mona Kosary, Michael Höpfner, Bernd Funke, et al.
Synopsis: This study shows that a proposed satellite concept (CAIRT) using high-spectral-resolution limb-emission sounding could rapidly detect and monitor even very small SAI deployments. It can quantify SO₂ injections within hours to days and track their evolution into sulphate aerosols over time and space. The results highlight major gaps in current satellite capabilities and the need for advanced monitoring systems for SRM oversight.
High-latitude, low-altitude stratospheric aerosol injection reshapes West African monsoon rainfall and associated dynamics - Preprint
Authors: Kwesi Twentwewa Quagraine, Kwesi Akumenyi Quagraine, Emmanuel Akalanyabah, Francis Nkrumah, Nana Ama Browne Klutse
Synopsis: HiLLA-SAI impacts on the West African Monsoon (WAM) are uncertain and model-dependent. Simulations (WACCM6, UKESM1) reproduce seasonality but show rainfall biases. SAI drives spatially varied precipitation changes, strongest in July–August. WACCM6 projects widespread wetting inland from the Guinea Coast, while UKESM1 shows weaker, mixed responses with regional drying. Both indicate shorter coastal wet spells and longer Sahel droughts, linked to a weakened temperature gradient and southward-shifted rain belt.
Regional Economic Impacts and Emission Responses under Solar Radiation Modification - Preprint
Authors: Jenny Bjordal , Evelien van Dijk, Henri Cornec, Anthony Alan Smith, Jr., Trude Storelvmo
Synopsis: Using the NorESM2-DIAM model, this study finds that a 1% reduction in solar radiation via SRM could boost GDP per capita in most countries, with the largest gains in low-income regions—reducing global inequality. However, these benefits may come with higher emissions, highlighting key trade-offs between economic gains, equity improvements, and long-term climate risks.
An unrecognized mode of small particles in the lower stratosphere
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THESIS
Investigation of volcanic effects on the particle size of stratospheric aerosols
Authors: Felix Wrana
Synopsis: A new SAGE III-based algorithm retrieves stratospheric aerosol size distributions with reduced ambiguity, producing one of the most reliable datasets to date. It reveals that some small tropical volcanic eruptions decrease aerosol size for up to 9 months—contrary to expectations. Results highlight key uncertainties in aerosol behavior, affecting climate modeling and SRM predictability.
REPORTS
The health implications of SRM ethics and governance: a Global South perspective
Authors: Luna, F.; Santi, M. F.; Daly, T. & Mastroleo, I.
Synopsis: This report examines ethical, governance, and health dimensions of SRM, highlighting major uncertainties and uneven risks, especially in the Global South. It calls for anticipatory governance, a WHO-led “health-first” framework, stronger public engagement, and equity-centered decision-making. Prioritizing mitigation, expanding health research, and ensuring inclusive global participation are identified as essential for responsible SRM oversight.
WEB POSTS
The Times - A new way to cool the Earth: give clouds a silver lining
Inevitable & Obvious - On the Ground at Stabilize Earth
The Energy Mix - Geoengineering On the Table, and Under Fire, As Scientists Race to Save Melting Thwaites Glacier
Renaissance Philanthropy - Arctic Stabilization Initiative - Advancing Arctic-targeted climate interventions to slow or reverse our trajectory toward planetary thresholds
Heatmap - Scoop: New Nonprofit Backs Unique Approach to Geoengineering the Arctic
CBN - British scientists firing salt water into clouds in bold attempt to cool Earth
New American - States Push Back Against Geoengineering and Cloud Seeding
MIT Technology Review - There is no nature anymore - No part of the globe is free of human fingerprints. Should we deploy technology to change it back?
Phys.Org - Geoengineering could protect Amazon rainforest from climate change
The ARC: Thoughts on a safe climate future - A bold research initiative to stabilize the Arctic
Cambridge in America - Earth Month 2026: Leading Cambridge Climate Scientist Shaun Fitzgerald on the State of the Planet
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Research Associate in Climate Dynamics at Imperial College London | Deadline: 13 May 2026
“Applications are invited for a fully funded fixed-term position at the Research Associate (postdoc) level in understanding the global climate response to stratospheric perturbations from solar radiation management (SRM).
The position will be co-supervised by Dr Paulo Ceppi and Dr Colleen Golja and will be based in the Department of Physics.”
PhD student in Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography, focus on Marine Cloud Brightening at Stockholm University
“The Department of Meteorology at Stockholm University (MISU) conducts research and education spanning the atmosphere, ocean and physical climate sciences.”
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UPCOMING EVENTS
30 April | Online - Insights from the Montreal Protocol for Climate Interventions (NEW)
03-08 May | Vienna, Austria & Online - EGU26
04 May | Boston, Massachusetts - Heading past 1.5C - Could Solar Geoengineering help? by Duncan McLaren & Boston Climate Week
04 May | San Francisco - Frontiers in Engineering for Sunlight Reflection - Workshop (NEW)
06 May | Oxford St., Cambridge - Thinking Well About Solar Geoengineering by Harvard Solar Geoengineering Research Program
06 May | University of Cambridge & Online - A Polarised Debate: Is There a Middle Ground on Geoengineering? by Center for Climate Repair (NEW)
12 May | University of Cambridge - Climate Repair Symposium by Center for Climate Repair (NEW)
13-15 May | University of Nottingham - IAA Planetary Sunshade Workshop by Planetary Sunshade Foundation
18-19 May | University of Chicago - Frontiers in Climate Systems Engineering by CSEi
25 May | Online - Exploring climate interventions and the science-policy interface by WCRP
28 May | Arena 2 Plenum - Building and Sharing Knowledge of Climate Interventions by UArctic Congress
28-29 May | Belgium - International Forum on Solar Radiation Modification Research Governance by Co-Create
01 June | Online - CSAR lecture: Beyond Net Zero: Can We Repair The Climate? by University of Cambridge (NEW)
02-04 June | Rwanda - The IAF Global Space Conference on Climate Change 2026 - Uniting Space and Earth for Climate Resilience
20-21 June | United States - Bridging the Knowledge Gaps in Climate Engineering with Experiments, Models, and Observations by Gordon Research Seminar
21-26 June 2026 | United States - Gordon Research Conference - Bridging Observations, Models, and Impacts in Solar Radiation Modification Research
10-11 September | Washington, DC. - 2026 RFF and Harvard SRM Social Science Research Workshop
12-15 October | Malaysia - Global Tipping Points 2026 | Abstract Deadline: 15 May (NEW)
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PODCASTS
A Natural Experiment in the Sky: Shipping, Clouds, and Climate | Oceanography
”Shipping pollution changed clouds. What can scientists learn? What happens when cleaner shipping fuel suddenly changes the atmosphere above the ocean? In this episode of Oceanography, meteorologist Dr. Michael Diamond explains how shipping pollution, cloud formation, and climate are connected, and how a major fuel regulation and disrupted global shipping routes created a rare natural experiment for scientists. The conversation explores aerosols, sulfur pollution, cloud brightening, and what these real-world changes can teach us about marine climate intervention, including marine cloud brightening and solar geoengineering. If you want to understand how human activity is already shaping clouds, warming, and climate policy, this episode offers a grounded, fascinating look at one of the most complex questions in climate science.”
SAI: Should We Reflect More Sunlight to Cool the Earth? with Dr. Kelsey Roberts | Oceanography
“Could reflecting sunlight help cool the Earth? Stratospheric aerosol injection, or SAI, is a proposed climate intervention that aims to reduce global temperatures by reflecting a small portion of incoming sunlight. Inspired by volcanic eruptions, this approach is being studied through climate and ecosystem models to better understand its potential effects. This episode explores how SAI could influence sea surface temperature, net primary production, ocean chemistry, and marine food webs. It also looks at how scientists use models to evaluate different deployment scenarios, including long-term use and phase-out strategies. Along the way, the conversation considers uncertainty, regional variability, and the role SAI might play within a broader portfolio of climate responses.”
MCB: Can Brighter Clouds Cool the Planet? with Dr. Jessica Wan | Oceanography
“Can brighter clouds cool Earth? Marine cloud brightening (MCB) is a proposed solar radiation modification strategy that could reflect sunlight, cool ocean regions, and potentially reduce dangerous heat. But can it actually work at scale, and what risks might come with it? In this episode, climate scientist Dr. Jessica Wan explains how MCB works, why researchers are studying sea salt aerosols and marine stratocumulus clouds, and what climate models reveal about unintended effects on weather, heatwaves, rainfall, and global circulation. The conversation explores geoengineering, climate intervention, El Niño, regional cooling, governance, and the major uncertainties surrounding marine cloud brightening as a response to climate change.”
As Temperatures Rise, Could Dimming the Sun Be a Solution? | Aspen Ideas
“What are the solutions to slowing the harmful effects of climate change? Could a plausible one be to block some sun to cool the planet? It may sound far-fetched but scientists are studying solar radiation management as one potential tool in the toolbox. But–it’s a controversial one. Could it be our emergency escape hatch, or a devastating Pandora’s Box? Two environmental pioneers discuss dimming the sun and other tactics to manage climate risk. Energy and Climate Editor for The Economist Vijay Vaitheeswaran speaks with Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund, and David Keith, director of the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative at the University of Chicago.”
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
HPAC Town Hall and Bruce Melton - The History of Geoengineering | Healthy Planet Action Coalition
“Bruce Melton presents and leads discussion on: The History of Geoengineering”
Live Discussion: Would Solar Geoengineering Transform or Preserve Nature? | SRM360
“On 22 April 2026, SRM360 hosted a live discussion on human interactions with nature and what solar geoengineering could mean for the natural world. Watch the recording to explore this topic with expert panellists Mike Tidwell, Mark Lynas, and Arthur Obst.”
Plan C for Civilization” Film Screening Q&A - April 21, 2026 | UChicago Climate Systems Engineering initiative
“A discussion and Q&A with film producer/director Ben Kalina, and Professors David Keith and Elisabeth Moyer of the University of Chicago. Conversation moderated by Geneva Kirk Drayson (College, ‘26)”
Plan C for Civilization: Filmmaker Ben Kalina on Solar Geoengineering, Climate Risk & Films | Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship
“Host Mark McNees interviews award-winning filmmaker Ben Kalina on the InNOLEvation® Mindset podcast, powered by the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, about his climate-focused documentary work and his new film, “Plan C for Civilization.” Kalina traces his upbringing in rural Vermont and his early concern about global warming, then discusses past projects on sea-level rise and other environmental issues. The conversation explores plastic pollution, microplastics, corporate responsibility, limits to recycling, and the need for regulation and open dialogue. Kalina previews his film, which follows researcher David Keith and others in the contentious field of solar geoengineering (sunlight reflection), highlighting governance, trust, unintended consequences, and moral hazard. He also explains the economics of independent documentary filmmaking, including crowdfunding, grants, creative control, distribution challenges, and plans for screenings and eventual wider release via the film’s website.”
DEADLINES
21 & 22 May | University of Cape Coast - SRM & CDR Short Course 2026
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