1. This Week’s Top SRM Highlights
2. Research Papers
3. Thesis
4. Web Posts
5. SRM Projects
6. Call for Proposals
7. Job Opportunities
8. Podcasts
9. YouTube Videos
10. Upcoming Events
RESEARCH PAPER: Models and scenarios for solar radiation modification need to include human perceptions of risk (IOP Science)
RESEARCH PAPER: Exploring Orbital Dynamics to Mitigate Global Warming: A Theoretical Earth-Sun System Study - Preprint (ResearchGate)
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Postdoctoral researcher in high-resolution modelling of aerosol-cloud interactions to assess Marine Cloud Brightening (University of Oxford)
CALL FOR PROPOSALS: EDF Call for Proposal on Solar Radiation Modification 2025 | Deadline: 20 June (Environmental Defense Fund)
PODCAST: Mixed phase cloud thinning - Villanueva (Reviewer 2 does geoengineering)
THESIS: Modifications of Stratospheric Dynamics and Circulation by Volcanic Eruptions (University of Michigan Library)
Read on to unpack more updates:
Implications of Solar Radiation Modification on Rainfall and Temperature Patterns over Eastern Africa
Authors: Alex Nimusiima, Godwin Ayesiga, Ronald Ingula Odongo, Catherine Mulinde, Lawrence Aribo, et al.
Synopsis: This study examines how SRM affects rainfall and temperature patterns in Eastern Africa using GeoMIP models under G6solar and G6sulfur scenarios. Models show a dry bias but fairly replicate historical climate. G6solar predicts more rainfall than SSP245 but less than SSP585, while G6sulfur shows reduced rainfall across most of the region. G6solar also lowers temperatures compared to both SSPs, but G6sulfur yields inconsistent temperature results, especially under SSP245.
Models and scenarios for solar radiation modification need to include human perceptions of risk
Authors: Brian Beckage, Katherine Lacasse, Kaitlin Raimi and Daniele Visioni
Synopsis: While research has addressed SRM's climate and social aspects, few studies integrate both. This paper proposes a framework linking human behavior, cognition, and biophysical processes across SRM's lifecycle—pre-development to post-deployment. It highlights how feedbacks like trust, risk perception, and moral hazard shape SRM outcomes and stresses their inclusion in future scenario planning.
High-Performance Radiative Cooling Using a SiO2/PHBV Fiber Membrane with a Micronano-Multistage Structure
Authors: Zhi-Jun Zhu, Ziqi Li, Xiaohong Wu, Chen Liu, Nanhao Chen, Yichi Zhang, Yan Chen, Xing Ouyang, Akbar Bashir, Da-Zhu Chen
Synopsis: This study presents a biodegradable radiative cooling fiber membrane made from PHBV and 10% SiO₂, designed via electrospinning. The micronano-structured membrane shows high solar reflectivity (0.95) and strong emissivity (0.89) in the atmospheric window. Under sunlight, it achieves a cooling temperature of 4.85 °C and a 12.8 °C drop vs. human skin. With peak cooling power of 91.75 W/m², 151% elongation, and water resistance, it's ideal for wearable cooling applications.
A Data-Driven Approach for Identifying Ethical Concerns of Climate Engineering Technologies - Stratospheric Aerosol Injection as a Use-Case—Preprint
Authors: Julius Fenn, Michael Gorki, Philipp Höfele, Louisa Estadieu, Christophe Becht, Lars Kulbe, et al.
Synopsis: As interest in SAI grows, this study explores how the public reasons ethically about it. Using Cognitive-Affective Maps and open responses, researchers identified 20 ethical concerns, with laypeople emphasizing practical impacts, trust, and lived experience—contrasting with formal ethical definitions. The study shows how combining data sources can enhance ethical analysis and support more inclusive, evidence-based conversations on SAI's responsible use.
Unequal socioeconomic exposure to drought extremes induced by stratospheric aerosol geoengineering - Preprint
Authors: Weijie Fu, Xu Yue, Chenguang Tian, Rongbin Xu, and Yuming Guo
Synopsis: As global warming worsens droughts, stratospheric aerosol geoengineering (SAG) may reduce surface temperatures—but its drought impact is uncertain. Using GeoMIP and GLENS data, this study found that, SAG cuts the projected 7.33% rise in extreme droughts by ~2% by 2100. However, it causes unequal outcomes: poorer nations face less relief—or worse exposure—than richer ones. This underscores the need for fairer, more effective SAG strategies to avoid deepening climate injustice.
Exploring Orbital Dynamics to Mitigate Global Warming: A Theoretical Earth-Sun System Study - Preprint
Authors: Niraj Pudasaini and Jennifer Tsai
Synopsis: This study explores a radical climate intervention: altering Earth’s orbit to offset global warming. Using gravitational and radiative physics, simulations show that increasing Earth’s distance from the Sun to 1.0578 AU could counter a 7K temperature rise. While theoretically cooling the planet, such a shift would drastically impact Earth’s yearly cycle. The research offers a novel framework linking orbital mechanics to climate, highlighting the challenges of astronomical geoengineering.
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Modifications of Stratospheric Dynamics and Circulation by Volcanic Eruptions
Author: Joseph Hollowed
Synopsis: This thesis uses DOE’s E3SM model to simulate the atmospheric effects of the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. It explores how volcanic SO₂ and ash, forming sulfate aerosols, altered global temperatures and circulation. An idealized model reproduces post-eruption temperature drops, while a full Earth system model reveals stronger polar vortex winds and shifts in meridional circulation. These changes reduce stratospheric air age by up to 5 months (except in the SH lower stratosphere), with effects scaling with eruption size.
Environmental Defense Fund - Three signs solar radiation modification research is moving in the right direction
Washington Post - Earth is likely to cross a key climate threshold in two years
Inevitable & Obvious - Who Pays to Cool the Planet?
Science Norway - Can we cool the planet by painting rooftops white?
Solar Geoengineering Non Use Agreement - ARIA’s ‘Exploring Climate Cooling’ Folly
Fast Company - Why the U.K. is betting $76 million on solar engineering to help cool the planet
The Telegram - How can 'geoengineering' help save us from the climate emergency?
ADS - Contextualizing Changes in Extreme Precipitation
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Call for Proposals (Reflective) - Impacts and Tradeoffs of Simulated High-Latitude/Low-Altitude SAI Deployment by Reflective | Deadline: 09 June 2025
Call for Proposals (EDF) - EDF Call for Proposals Solar Radiation Modification 2025 | Deadline to submit letter of intent: 16 June 2025 | Deadline to submit full proposals: 20 June 2025
Call for Proposals (CIEIF) - Climate Intervention Environmental Impact Fund announced $75,000 grants towards environmental impact analysis for climate restoration projects | Deadline to apply: 01 August 2025
Postdoctoral researcher in high-resolution modelling of aerosol-cloud interactions to assess Marine Cloud Brightening at University of Oxford | Deadline to apply: 20 June 2025
This position is part of the are provided by the UKRI NERC project MACLOUD (Marine CLOUD Brightening) with partners across the UK to utilise state-of-the art multi-scale modelling to assess the potential of MCB strategies and associated risks. Successful applicants will work closely with our national and international collaborators and are expected to develop innovative research approaches. The role also includes the possibility to co-advice doctoral students. Results should be presented at national and international meetings as well as published in leading subject and high-impact publications.
Mixed phase cloud thinning - Villanueva | Reviewer 2 does geoengineering
"Diego Villanueva discusses his paper on mixed-phase regime cloud thinning (MCT). This geoengineering approach involves using ice-nucleating particles to reduce the heat-trapping effects of polar clouds.
Using climate and cloud-resolving models, the study finds MCT could offset up to 25% of polar ocean warming from CO₂ doubling and increase sea ice by 8% in the Arctic and 14% in Antarctica. In the podcast, we discuss the science behind this method, its potential benefits, limitations, and broader implications.
Paper: Villanueva, D., Possner, A., Neubauer, D., Gasparini, B., Lohmann, U., & Tesche, M. (2022). Mixed-phase regime cloud thinning could help restore sea ice. Environmental Research Letters, 17(11), 114057. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aca16d"
Exploring Solar Geoengineering: Can Dimming the Sun Mitigate Climate Change? | The Breakfast Show
India's Cooling Challenge | Climate Emergency Forum
"The panel, which includes climate system scientist Paul Beckwith and host Herb Simmens, explores the multifaceted challenges India faces, such as severe heat waves, water shortages, and the limitations of existing mitigation strategies. Dr. Das describes grassroots efforts to raise awareness and push for a national cooling plan, including partnerships with universities, reforestation projects, and experimental technologies like reflective covers to slow glacier melt. The conversation also addresses the need for immediate interventions to provide relief, such as affordable rooftop reflectors, while advocating for long-term research into advanced climate intervention techniques like marine cloud brightening and stratospheric aerosol injection."
Earth Orbital Adjustments for Global Warming Mitigation: A Theoretical Geoengineering Framework | Remove and Reflect Podcast
"This episode discusses a recent research that explores a theoretical approach to mitigating global warming by computationally simulating how altering Earth's orbit might affect its temperature.
Using established physical laws like Newton's law of gravitation and the Stefan-Boltzmann law, the study models the Earth-Sun system and calculates the equilibrium temperature at different orbital distances. The findings suggest that increasing Earth's orbital radius to a specific value could potentially counteract projected temperature increases.
While acknowledging the immense technological and ethical challenges, this work offers a theoretical framework for understanding orbital dynamics as an extreme geoengineering concept to stimulate further scientific inquiry."
Science of Solar Radiation Management Explained in Everyday Language I GeoEngineering Basics Ep 3 | Turing_Life and Earth
"What if we could cool the planet—not by cutting emissions, but by turning down the Sun? Welcome to the extraordinary world of Solar Radiation Management (SRM), where scientists are exploring ways to reflect sunlight away from Earth to counteract global warming. In this episode of Hacking the Planet: The Science of Geoengineering, we unpack the science, risks, and imagination behind the boldest climate tech ideas ever conceived."
06 June | Online - Introducing SRM: Current Knowledge and Future Challenges by Co-Create
10 June | Online - Can We Afford to Ignore Solar Geoengineering? by The Transition Accelerator
17 June | Germany - ACtIon4Cooling & STATISTICS workshop on Solar Radiation Modification
26-28 June | Cambridge UK - Artic Repair Conference 2025 by University of Cambridge & Center for Climate Repair
04-05 September | Washington DC - 2025 RFF and Harvard SRM Social Science Research Workshop: Governance in a Fractured World
3-7 November | Pune, India - 11th WMO Scientific Conference on Weather Modification
Solar Geoengineering Events Calendar
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