| Here’s is your weekly roundup of SRM news from the past week (17 - 23 February 2025): Subscribe for monthly SRM updates here:
TABLE OF CONTENT1. Research Papers2. Thesis3. Web Posts4. Job Opportunity5. Podcasts6. YouTube Videos7. Upcoming Events
RESEARCH PAPERSVattioni, S., Peter, T., Weber, R., Dykema, J. A., Luo, B., Stenke, A., ... & Chiodo, G. (2025). Injecting solid particles into the stratosphere could mitigate global warming but currently entails great uncertainties. Communications Earth & Environment, 6(1), 132.Abstract: Stratospheric aerosol injection could mitigate harmful effects of global warming, but could have undesirable side effects, such as warming the stratosphere and depleting the ozone layer. We explore the potential benefits of solid alumina and calcite particles as alternatives to sulfate aerosols by using an experimentally informed aerosol-chemistry-climate model. Compared to sulfur dioxide, injection of solids reduces stratospheric warming by up to 70% and diffuse radiation by up to 40%, highlighting their potential benefits. Achieving −1 W m−2 of radiative forcing would likely result in very small ozone changes, but sizable uncertainties remain. These arise from poorly understood heterogeneous chemical and microphysical processes, which, under less likely assumptions, could lead to larger global ozone column changes between −14% and +4%. Our work provides recommendations for improving the understanding of stratospheric aerosol injection using materials other than sulfur dioxide, and underscores the need for kinetic laboratory studies.
Medcraft, C., Davis, W. A., & Harrison, D. P. Flash Atomisation of Saltwater Through Convergent-Divergent Nozzles: Implications for Marine Cloud Brightening. Available at SSRN 5142235.Abstract: The potential feasibility of Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) is currently limited by the efficiency and practicalities of technologies to generate the required flux of correctly sized aerosol particles. We find that spraying superheated salt water through convergent-divergent (de Laval) nozzles produced over one hundred times more particles per second than the effervescent technique currently used in proof-of-concept sea trials for MCB. The production rate from the de Laval nozzles appeared unaffected by the reduction of throat diameter despite a fourfold reduction in water and energy usage. The overall energy efficiency of a nozzle with a 0.5 mm diameter throat was shown to be twice that of the effervescent nozzle trialled for MCB on the Great Barrier Reef. These initial results are encouraging and imply significant further improvements in output can likely be obtained with this type of nozzle. The use of de Laval nozzles for MCB would provide for greatly simplified engineering plant, removing the requirement for a large volume of highly compressed air.
Luengo, S. (2025). Spraying The Skies: Stratospheric Aerosol Injection And Human Rights.Abstract: Little has been said on how the just transition to a decarbonized world relates to the human right, recently recognized by the United Nations General Assembly, to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. This Article explores this relationship and how to build a framework that guides current and future climate change endeavors. It argues that the human right’s substantive and procedural content must incorporate just transi- tion claims, which would help resolve whether and how to advocate for specific climate measures. One such case is stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), a highly contested intervention where it is not clear whether it would ameliorate or aggravate climate impacts. The Article explores how to govern experimentation of this emerging technique while observing a just transition and environmental rights. If SAI is regulated and advanced within such a framework, its exploration potentially could help protect the world from the worst climate change impacts while finding more permanent mitigation and adaptation solutions.
Emme, E. J., Chen, C. C., & Horowitz, H. (2025). Impact of Seasonality for Mid-Latitude Marine Cloud Brightening in Combating Global Warming. Authorea Preprints.Abstract: Most previous studies on marine cloud brightening (MCB) have focused on deployment over the subtropical stratocumulus cloud decks which persistently result in non-uniform cooling and disruption of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). A recent study demonstrated that MCB deployment over mid-latitudes, instead, could alleviate such side effects. Here, with the Community Earth System Model v2 (CESM2), we investigate the impact of seasonality on the mid-latitude MCB deployment strategy. Specifically, efficacy of MCB, surface temperature and precipitation patterns, and ENSO are examined. The results suggest that (1) single hemisphere MCB deployment in midlatitude regions shifts the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and (2) midlatitude MCB deployment over both hemispheres during fall and winter is required to deliver climate outcomes with the least side effects.
Karlsson, T. (2025). Geoengineering Symposium: Science Fiction or Possible Element for a Sustainable Environmental and Climate Future?. In Geoengineering Symposium: Science Fiction or Possible Element for a Sustainable Environmental and Climate Future? Luleå, 2024-05-22.. Polarforskningssekretariatet.Abstract: Geoengineering represents a set of large-scale technological interventions aimed at mitigating climate change by modifying Earth's natural systems. This report summarizes discussions from the Geoengineering Symposium held in Luleå, Sweden, in collaboration with the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and other key institutions. The symposium explored two primary geoengineering approaches: solar radiation management (SRM) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Experts assessed the feasibility, potential benefits, and risks associated with these technologies, emphasizing the uncertainties related to regional climate effects, governance challenges, and ethical concerns. Key discussions also addressed the role of international governance, public perception, and the risk of moral hazard in geoengineering deployment. The symposium concluded that while geoengineering should not replace emissions reduction efforts, it may serve as an emergency measure or complement traditional mitigation strategies. Further scientific research, climate modeling, and inclusive policymaking are crucial to evaluating the future role of geoengineering in climate action.
THESISClark, B. J. (2025). Stratospheric Sulfate Aerosol Climate Intervention Implications for Global Agriculture (Doctoral dissertation, Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, School of Graduate Studies).Abstract: As the severity of climate change and its associated impacts continue to worsen, schemes for artificially cooling surface temperatures via planetary albedo modification are being studied. The method with the most attention in the literature is stratospheric sulfate aerosol climate intervention (SAI). Placing reflective aerosols in the stratosphere would have profound impacts on the entire Earth system, with potentially far-reaching societal impacts. This intervention strategy would impact crop production differently in different nations and would depend on the temperature target chosen. In this work, impacts on national maize, rice, soybean and wheat production were analyzed by looking at output from 11 different SAI scenarios carried out with a fully coupled Earth system model integrated with a crop model. Higher-latitude nations tend to produce the most calories under unabated climate change, while midlatitude nations maximize calories under moderate SAI implementation and equatorial nations produce the most calories from crops under high levels of SAI.
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WEB POSTS
JOB OPPORTUNITY"Major tasks of this post-doc position are to:• Co-develop an evidence base of technological analogs to CDR and SRM to inform their scale up;• Produce a series of analogous case studies, both as research outputs for publication and as an evident base for other analysis in the GENIE project;• Develop quantitative indicators that can be assessed for each case study and each CDR and SRM technology;• Analysis of the implications of each case study and its quantitative indicators for the scale up of CDR and SRM technologies;• Work with modeling teams to integrate insights from empirical analysis;• Co-develop this method of using technological analogues as a generalizable methodology to inform technological innovation;• Participate in project meetings and coordinate with other project partners;• Contribute to project management, in particular working with and mentoring Masters and PhD students;• Present results at international conferences;• Publish scientific results in esteemed, peer-reviewed international journals."
PODCASTSCOVID policy vs SRM policy - Patrick | Reviewer 2 does geoengineering | COVID policy vs SRM policy - Patrick Reviewer 2 does geoengineering 1:24:41 |
"Can COVID policy be compared to geoengineering policy? Hosea Olayiwola Patrick discusses "Reflections on COVID-19 Adaptive Responses as a Template for Climate Intervention-Geoengineering Engagement" with @geoengineering1 https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202501.1715"
News Roundup: James Hansen and SRM, Arctic Ice Project Shuts Down, New MCB Studies, and More | Climate Reflections: The SRM360 Podcast | News Roundup: James Hansen and SRM, Arctic Ice Project Shuts Down, New MCB Studies, and More Climate Reflections: The SRM360 Podcast 30:15 |
"What we'll cover:-At the end of January, the Arctic Ice Project - formerly Ice 911 - announced they were shutting down. Why?-A new study came out this month that draws on focus groups and a survey across 22 countries asking the public who they trust when it comes to information about carbon dioxide removal and SRM. What were the findings?-A new literature review identifies research gaps across the field of SRM.-Thoughts on a recent paper about SRM transparency problems.-A discussion of a recent study focused on how to govern Marine Cloud Brightening-Famous scientist James Hansen's new piece, and what it means for SRM"
YOUTUBE VIDEOSCo-CREATE Seminar: Towards a European Blueprint for Responsible SRM Research | Climate Strategies "On 14 February 2025, the Co-CREATE project held an online seminar entitled 'Towards a European Blueprint for Responsible Solar Radiation Modification Research'.With an inspiring introduction from Dusan Chrenek (European Commission) and thought-provoking contributions from Matthias Honegger, Ben Redmond Roche, Dominic Lenzi and Julie Vinders, numerous topics related to #SRM research and governance were covered including:-Overview of SRM scientific experiments-SRM research ethics & governance-Legal and regulatory mapping for SRM research-Guidelines and principles for SRM research governance"
Geoengineering as a Last-Resort Climate Strategy with Climate Economist Dr. Gernot Wagner | Propane: Energy for Everyone "In this special edition of Path to Zero, host Tucker Perkins sits down with Dr. Gernot Wagner—a prominent climate economist at Columbia Business School. The conversation spans teaching, cutting-edge policy, and controversial climate interventions like solar geoengineering, offering listeners deep insights into the complex journey toward a low-carbon future."
Orri Stefánsson: Does global justice demand geoengineering? | The Institute for Futures Studies, Stockholm "Research seminar with H. Orri Stefánsson, Professor of Practical Philosophy and Wallenberg Academy Fellow at Stockholm University, and Researcher at the Institute for Futures Studies. His current research concerns how one should choose insituations of extreme uncertainty, including situations where one suspects that the outcome of one’s actions (or inaction) could be catastrophic.This talk will center on a paper authored by speaker Orri Stefánsson and Mac Willners, Ph.D candidate in Practical Philosophy at Stockholm University and the Norms and Normativity Research School.The paper critically examines the Global Justice Argument for solar geoengineering, according to which global justice concerns demand research of such technologies. The argument relies on two key assumptions: that anthropogenic climate change constitutes an injustice against the climate-disadvantaged and that solar geoengineering deployment seems to be the policy option that is best suited to reduce climate harms faced by the climate-disadvantaged. We argue that even if the latter, empirical claim is true, the argument fails because it lacks a necessary consent requirement. Since solar geoengineering cannot rectify the injustices by restoring pre-injustice conditions, it can, at best, serve as compensation. Drawing on the concepts of ends-displacing compensation and duties of justice, we demonstrate that a consent requirement is necessary for the global justice argument to succeed. Given evidence of explicit dissent from some climate-disadvantaged groups, we conclude that global justice does not currently demand solar geoengineering."
Restoring the Arctic is restoring hope and demands collaborative action | Kerry Nickols | TEDxBoston | TEDx Talks "A layer of highly reflective ice covers the Arctic Ocean, and this Arctic sea ice has done the planet an incredible service by reflecting heat energy from the sun and lowering temperatures. But with increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and associated warming, the extent of Arctic sea ice in the summer has declined 50% over the last 40 years with impacts to global climate, Arctic ecosystems and people. Are there approaches that may be able to slow the loss of Arctic sea ice? Through a portfolio of interventions — combining emissions reductions and protection of the Arctic with innovative technologies — it may be possible to stabilize summer sea ice. Moving forward isn’t just about technology, though, it’s about governance, justice, and equity and acting together. Kerry Nickols, PhD is an interdisciplinary ocean scientist with experience across ecosystems who has logged over 1000 scuba dives. She is a Senior Program Officer at Ocean Visions leading the Marine Ecosystem Repair Program. Before deciding to focus on addressing the ocean-climate crisis, Kerry was an Associate Professor at California State University Northridge where she studied coastal marine ecosystems and climate change, including the design and evaluation of Marine Protected Areas and the potential for macroalgae to mitigate ocean acidification and hypoxia. She also served on state, federal, and international committees providing scientific guidance on conservation issues. Kerry holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from University of California, Davis, and a B.A. in Earth and Planetary Science as well as Integrative Biology from University of California, Berkeley."
COVID 19 Lessons for Climate Intervention and Geoengineering Engagement | Remove and Reflect Podcast "Mr. Sun (AI character) & Ms. Remove (AI character) discuss a recent preprint that explores potential lessons for climate intervention-geoengineering engagement by examining adaptive responses to COVID-19. The author, Hosea Olayiwola Patrick, uses a desktop review to compare reactions to the pandemic with considerations for solar geoengineering, highlighting the need for tailored engagement. The document underscores the importance of strategic partnerships among stakeholders, aligning research with community needs, and considering ethical practices. It emphasizes developing monitoring and governance frameworks to prevent stakeholder overreach, drawing parallels between COVID-19 responses and geoengineering challenges. The work advocates for global cooperation, media investment, and addressing inequalities in both scenarios and how understanding these intersections can lead to a more effective climate intervention policy.Paper: Patrick, H. O. (2025). Reflections on COVID-19 Adaptive Responses as a Template for Climate Intervention-Geoengineering Engagement.Note: This audio is entirely AI-generated”
Profit Seeking Solar Geoengineering Market Based Climate Governance | Remove and Reflect Podcast "In this episode, Mr. Sun (AI character) & Ms. Remove (AI character) analyze a new paper that scrutinized the rise of for-profit solar geoengineering ventures and their connection to neoliberal climate governance. It critiques the concept of "cooling credits" and the broader trend of market-based climate solutions, highlighting their limitations and potential risks. The authors argue that these ventures are a predictable outcome of a system that prioritizes technological innovation and private sector involvement in climate policy. They also emphasize the influence of Silicon Valley ideologies and funding on solar geoengineering research and development. Finally, it suggests strengthening public control and limiting private influence in climate governance to address the dangers of market-driven geoengineering.Paper: Paper: Surprise, K., McLaren, D., Möller, I., Sapinski, J. P., Stabinsky, D., & Stephens, J. C. (2025). Profit-seeking solar geoengineering exemplifies broader risks of market-based climate governance. Earth System Governance, 23, 100242.Note: This audio is entirely AI-generated"
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