Everything we publish on Solar Geoengineering Updates is free to access. If you value this work and are able, please consider supporting us as a paid subscriber. Your support sustains this vital work and helps us reach more people with balanced, timely information on this critical topic.
TOP 10 SRM HIGHLIGHTS FROM AUGUST’25
IPCC APPOINTED SRM AUTHORS FOR AR7
The IPCC has appointed 664 authors from 111 countries to draft its Seventh Assessment Report (AR7). Among them, SRM experts including Danielle Visioni, Inés Camilloni, Helene Muri, and various others will contribute to Chapter 9, focused on Earth system responses and overshoot pathways. Several Degrees Initiative–funded SRM researchers are also contributing across multiple chapters.
GOVERNANCE OF ARCTIC CLIMATE INTERVENTION
A new report from the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, based on an April 2025 workshop, examined governance of Arctic climate interventions, from solar radiation modification to carbon removal. It emphasized Indigenous rights, equitable assessments, and legal frameworks, calling for moratoria, ethics boards, and an Arctic-specific governance declaration.
UNEP TO CONVENE GLOBAL VIRTUAL SRM WORKSHOP
The United Nations Environment Programme will host a virtual multi-stakeholder workshop on SRM from 9–10 September 2025. The online event will convene governments, scientists, civil society, and other stakeholders to examine scientific, ethical, and policy perspectives, continuing dialogue initiated during May’s Geneva science-policy exchange.
CONTINUATION FUNDING FOR SRM MODELLING TEAMS
The Degrees Initiative has awarded continuation funding to SRM research teams in Jamaica, Nigeria, Uganda, and Mali. First funded in 2023, the four groups have been awarded two more years of support to study SRM’s regional impacts on climate, agriculture, ecosystems, and energy, strengthening Global South leadership.
SAI COULD PREVENT FUTURE AMOC DECLINE BUT INJECTION LOCATION IS KEY
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation is weakening, with major climate risks ahead. SAI could influence its trajectory, but impacts depend on deployment details. Using CESM simulations, researchers found Northern Hemisphere SAI can stabilize AMOC by altering North Atlantic heat flux and density, while Southern Hemisphere SAI has little effect despite global cooling. Results show SAI might help avoid tipping points, but outcomes hinge on design and deeper process understanding.
NEW FRAMEWORK GUIDES SRM FIELD EXPERIMENTS
Researchers proposed a new framework to design SRM field studies, stressing controlled experiments are vital to test efficacy and risks beyond models or natural analogues. Using marine cloud brightening as an example, the framework links study scale to goals, offering guidance for science and governance of future SRM research.
SRM & AVIATION
SimpliFlying has released a new explainer detailing how volcanic cooling, such as Mt. Pinatubo’s 1991 SO₂ emissions, is informing plans to use modified aircraft (from business jets to Boeing 777s) for stratospheric aerosol injection. The report examines the science, delivery logistics, and risks, including “termination shock,” geopolitical conflict, and reputational fallout.
EARLY CAREER GATHERING ON CLIMATE INTERVENTION IN HELSINKI:
The Climate Intervention Network, an initiative of the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering, will hold its first in-person early career gathering in Helsinki on 21–22 Oct 2025. This all-expenses-paid workshop will bring together young researchers from diverse fields to exchange perspectives, explore foresight, governance & science communication & shape a collective research agenda.
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The University of Chicago’s Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi) has opened applications for its 2026 postdoctoral cohort at Research Associate rank. Scholars interested in climate interventions, including SRM, may apply by November 18, 2025, for two-year roles starting Aug–Sep 2026.
For a full recap of last month’s updates, check out our weekly summaries: WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4
And here’s a quick short overview:
RESEARCH PAPERS
ESS Open Archive - Effects of Warming and SAI on Tropical Cyclone Distribution and Frequency: Results from a High-Resolution Global Circulation Model | Authors: Andrew Feder, David Allan Randall, and Donald Dazlich
EGU - Building a comprehensive library of observed Lagrangian trajectories for testing modeled cloud evolution, aerosol–cloud interactions, and marine cloud brightening | Authors: Ehsan Erfani, Robert Wood, Peter Blossey, Sarah J. Doherty, and Ryan Eastman
Communications Earth & Environment - Conspiracy theories as engines of connection for enriched public debates on emerging technologies | Authors: Gabriel Dorthe
Frontiers - Africa's regional and local climate response to stratospheric aerosol injection characteristics | Authors: Naomi Kumi, Caleb Mensah, Kwesi A. Quagraine, Trisha D. Patel, et al.
ScienceDirect - Evaluating the impacts of localized artificial enhancement of sea ice albedo over Beaufort Gyre towards restoring Arctic Sea Ice | Authors: Detelina Ivanova, Subarna Bhattacharyya, Anthony Strawa, Steve Zornetzer, et al.
AGU - Multi-Model Future World Aridity and Groundwater Recharge Changes With and Without Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention Under High Warming Scenario | Authors: Abolfazl Rezaei, John Moore, Simone Tilmes, Daniele Visioni, Azfar Hussain
European Geosciences Union - Using optimization tools to explore SAI strategies | Authors: Ezra Brody, Yan Zhang, Douglas G. MacMartin, Daniele Visioni, et al.
Springer Nature Link - Absorption effect on light scattering by dust particles in physical optics approximation | Authors: K. S. Salnikov, N. V. Kustova, D. N. Timofeev, I. V. Tkachev and A. V. Konoshonkin
Nature - Photophoretic flight of perforated structures in near-space conditions | Authors: Benjamin C. Schafer, Jong-hyoung Kim, Felix Sharipov, Gyeong-Seok Hwang, et al.
Routes - Investigating the Relationship Between Environmental Values and Public Perceptions of Geoengineering Technologies | Authors: Kalani Foster
AGU - Subtropical Marine Cloud Brightening Suppresses the El Niño–Southern Oscillation | Authors: C. Xing, S. Stevenson, J. Fasullo, C. Harrison, C. Chen, J. Wan, J. Coupe, C. Pfleger
ScienceDirect - Solar Radiation Modification impact on precipitation and temperature extremes in Hunan, China | Authors: Haiyuan Tang, Mou Leong Tan, Zeqian Feng, Narimah Samat, Fei Zhang
Wiley Online Library - A Multivariate Space-Time Dynamic Model for Characterizing the Atmospheric Impacts Following the Mt. Pinatubo Eruption | Authors: Robert C. Garrett, Lyndsay Shand, Gabriel Huerta
AGU - Stratospheric Aerosol Injection Could Prevent Future Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Decline, But Injection Location is Key | Authors: Ewa M. Bednarz, Paul B. Goddard, Douglas G. MacMartin, Daniele Visioni, David Bailey, Gokhan Danabasoglu
AGU - Glacier Geoengineering May Have Unintended Consequences for Marine Ecosystems and Fisheries | Authors: Mark James Hopwood, Sascha Schiøtt, Hilde Oliver
EGU Sphere - Future hydro-climatic changes associated with global warming and stratospheric aerosol intervention scenarios across Central-South Asia and the Tibetan Plateau - Preprint | Authors: Azfar Hussain, Abolfazl Rezaei, Ping Zhu, Guanglang Xu, Chao Yang, Yan Ma, et al.
EGU Sphere - Evaluating simulations of ship tracks in a high-resolution model - Preprint | Authors: Anna Tippett, Paul R. Field, and Edward Gryspeerd
ESS Open Archive - Defining Scales of Field Experiments to Assess Solar Radiation Modification, with Application to Marine Cloud Brightening Studies - Preprint | Authors: Sarah J. Doherty, Michael S Diamond, Robert Wood, Haruki Hirasawa
SSRN - Strategic Evaluation of Regional Solar Radiation Management: Assessing Opportunities and Challenges of Marine Cloud Brightening and Albedo Modification - Preprint | Authors: Yang Yu
Springer Nature Link - Large-Scale Climate Interventions: Carbon Dioxide Removal and Solar Radiation Management - Book Chapter | Authors: Walker Raymond Lee, Douglas MacMartin & Amanda Borth
Levels of support for SRM research and deployment
(Source)
REPORTS
Harvard Kennedy School - Workshop Report: The Governance of Arctic Climate Interventions
AMSO - Finalizing experimental protocols for the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) contribution to CMIP7 - Meeting Report
Simpliflying - Solar Geoengineering, Aviation and the Future of Climate Control
WEB POSTS
ScienceDirect - AGU Posts Principles to Guide—and Foster—Geoengineering Research
DSG - Legitimacy is the Goal: Going Slowly, As Quickly As Possible
ETH Zurich - Listen carefully: Teaching students to navigate science-scepticism
The Degrees Initiative - 14 Degrees-funded researchers will help to produce the next IPCC climate report
Economist - Marjorie Taylor Greene wants to stop them from making it rain
Radio Ecoshock - Is it already late? Mike MacCracken Geoengineering Now
PIB - High-Level Workshop by CSEP-NITI Aayog-CEEW Highlights Need for India to Evaluate Research, Risks, and Governance of Geoengineering
SRM360 - Cooling Isn’t Plan B – It’s How Plan A Succeeds
Climate Genn - “We Can’t Be Sidelined Forever”: Why Stratospheric Aerosol Injection Must Move From Taboo to Testing
Global Coral - Geoengineering: A Bad Idea Whose Time Has Come?
c.f.g - The future, accelerated: a message from Sci-Fi author Kim Stanley Robinson
SRM360 - African Ministers Reject SRM – an “Unacceptable Climate Solution”
Climate Cosmos - Geoengineering: A Risky but Necessary Solution to Climate Change?
Operaatio Arktis - How to work towards a more responsible approach to preventing climate risks and promoting research on climate interventions
The Degrees Initiative - Second Southeast Asia workshop strengthens ties between regional SRM researchers
Daniel's Substack - Can stratospheric aerosol injection ever be democratic?
NOAA Research - High-altitude observations confirm stratospheric source of toxic groundwater contaminant
TCD - Officials pass bizarre law meant to protect citizens from nonexistent airborne threat: 'We're not playing that game'
Exploring Emergence - Decarbonization and Solar Radiation Management Revisited
The Irish Times - Could bouncing the sun’s heat back into space help solve the climate crisis?
The Skeptic - How concerned should we be about the UK’s geoengineering trials?
Share Solar Geoengineering Updates
UPCOMING EVENTS
04-05 September | Washington DC - 2025 RFF and Harvard SRM Social Science Research Workshop: Governance in a Fractured World
07 September | Online - Confessions of a Climate Activist: Clean Energy Alone Can No Longer Save Us. We Need to Study Sunlight Reflection by MEER
09-10 September | Online - Multi-stakeholder Workshop on Solar Radiation Modification by UNEP
21-28 September | New York - Climate Week NYC by Climate Group
23 September | NYC, United States - The state of SRM impacts science and the need for responsible research by EDF at Climate Week NYC
24 September 2025 | New York - Solar Geoengineering Research: Next Steps for Civil Society by DSG CCAN
30 September | Belgium - Grappling with accelerating climate risks - Is it time to explore research into Solar Radiation Modification? by Euractive
6 – 9 October | Online - Virtual workshop series on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection
17 October - Introducing SkyScroll by Planetary Sunshade Foundation
21-22 October | Helsinki, Finland - Workshop: The Future of climate intervention research - an early career gathering by Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering
23 October | Helsinki - ATLAS25: Risk Management of Earth System Tipping Points by Operaatio Arktis
3-7 November | Pune, India - 11th WMO Scientific Conference on Weather Modification
15-19 December | New Orleans, Louisiana - 2025 American Geophysical Union Meeting
9-13 March 2026 | Kyoto, Japan - CMIP Community Workshop (CMIP26)
21-26 June 2026 | United States - Gordon Research Conference - Bridging Observations, Models, and Impacts in Solar Radiation Modification Research
Solar Geoengineering Events Calendar
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
University of Birmingham - Research Fellow in Climate Intervention | Deadline: 5th October 2025
University of Birmingham - Fully Funded PhD Project: Geoengineering impacts on large-scale utilization of renewable energies and on global justice of renewable development
University of Chicago - Research Associate at Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi)
PODCASTS
Reviewer 2 does Geoengineering - SAI can weaken CO2 greenhouse effect - Soden
Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast - Too Hot to Handle?: Facing a Future Beyond 1.5°C
Reviewer 2 does geoengineering - SRM's socioeconomic cost - Bronsther & Xu
Remove and Reflect Podcast - Stratospheric Aerosol Injection could prevent future AMOC decline, but injection location is key
Remove and Reflect Podcast - Solar Geoengineering: Air Quality and Mortality Impacts
YOUTUBE VIDEOS
Climate Emergency Forum - Dr. Hansen's Climate Warning: It's Worse Than We Thought
Ricken Patel - What’s the plan to save the planet? Christiana Figueres interviews Ricken Patel
Naked Science - Should The Government Control Our Climate?
The Glenn Beck Podcast - Is Cloudseeding Playing God? Trump EPA Chief Reacts | Lee Zeldin
Clean Titans - Stop Climate Collapse? Dr. Soumitra Das on BOLD Climate Restoration & Geoengineering
The Degrees Initiative - Dr Amadou Coulibaly: Advancing SRM Research in Mali with Degrees
SRM360 - Making Sense of Wildfires and Solar Geoengineering
Operaatio Arktis - Francis Nkrumah, SRI (2024)
To Save The World - Global Views on Geoengineering
The Dispatch - Can Geoengineering Save Us—Or Cook the Planet?
Tito - AirMiners - Is it time to talk about Solar Radiation Management?
Climate Emergency Forum - Facing Big Questions on Climate & Economics
MEER SRM - MEERtalk August 2025 - Dr. Atousa Pirvaram
Climate Cosmos - The Ethics of Geoengineering: Should We Manipulate Earths Climate?
Follow us on:
Twitter | Bluesky | YouTube | Substack | Google Group | Podcast 1 | Podcast 2
Support us here:
While all content on Solar Geoengineering Updates is free for everyone, We urge those who can to become paid subscribers. Your support empowers this important work and helps us spread the message far and wide.
Share Solar Geoengineering Updates
