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VIDEO: The Science and Politics of Geoengineering with Ted Parson (Nate Hagens)
RESEARCH PAPER: Solar geoengineering, delay, and addiction (Springer Nature Link)
PREPRINT: The global climate response to High-Latitude Low-Altitude Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (HiLLA-SAI) (EGUsphere)
FEATURE: Documentary explores sci-fi world of geoengineering (E&E News by Politico)
PERSPECTIVE: Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it (The Conversation)
JOB OPPORTUNITY: External Affairs Lead (Reflective)
PODCAST: Nature vs. Unnature: Public Perception of Solar Geoengineering, with Kaitlin Raimi (Resources Radio)
Read on to unpack more updates:
Before We Inject: Assessing the Impact of Silica-Based Aerosols on Stratospheric Chemistry via a Kinetic Model Informed by Molecular Dynamics
Authors: Dennis Lima, Saif Al-Kuwari, Ivan Gladich
Synopsis: This study uses first-principles molecular dynamics to examine reactions between HCl and ClONO₂ on silica surfaces relevant to silica-based SAI. Although a barrierless pathway forms ozone-depleting Cl₂, kinetic modeling shows the reaction probability is negligible because HNO₃ and HCl dominate surface uptake. Silica aerosols may therefore have limited impact on ozone, but more experimental validation is urgently needed.
Detectable ship tracks account for just 5% of aerosol indirect forcing from ship emissions
Authors: Tianle Yuan, Hua Song, Lili F. Boss & Michael S. Diamond
Synopsis: This study shows that visible ship-tracks represent only about 5% of the total climate forcing from ship emissions over the southeast Atlantic. Most forcing comes from aerosols that never form detectable ship-tracks. Using bottom-up, top-down, and hybrid methods, the authors find that machine-learning ship-track forcing is far smaller than top-down or cloud-adjustment estimates. The findings reconcile major discrepancies in past research and clarify implications for aerosol forcing and marine cloud brightening.
Reflections on COVID-19 Adaptive Responses: Lessons for Solar Geoengineering Engagement as a Climate Intervention Strategy
Authors: Hosea Olayiwola Patrick
Synopsis: This paper reviews global and local responses to COVID-19 to draw lessons for future solar geoengineering engagement. While not equating the two, it shows how public opinion, multilevel coordination, and policy reactions shape outcomes. The study argues that effective climate intervention will require strategic stakeholder partnerships, alignment of research with community needs, ethical safeguards, and strong monitoring and governance frameworks.
Impact of Solar Radiation modification on Temperature Changes from Sinabung Eruption in Karo Regency
Authors: Sorja Koesuma, Friska Ayu Sakhina, Rahmat Gernowo
Synopsis: This study analyzes temperature changes from the 2018 Mount Sinabung eruption using ERA5 data and GeoMIP climate models, projecting 2026–2099 outcomes under SRM and emission scenarios. SRM reduces warming near Sinabung, aligning with SSP2-4.5 levels, while high-emission SSP5-8.5 still drives temperatures above 2°C.
How do the Australian public perceive the risks and benefits of novel restoration and adaptation interventions on coral reefs?
Authors: Csilla Demeter, Henry A. Bartelet, Stewart Lockie, Brent W. Ritchie, Rana Dadpour
Synopsis: This study surveys over 8,000 Australians (2018–2024) to assess perceptions of six novel Great Barrier Reef interventions, including marine cloud brightening and genetic engineering. All were seen as beneficial, but restorative methods drew the lowest risk scores, while genetic engineering raised more ethical concerns. Risk perceptions varied by proximity, age, Indigenous status, and understanding. Findings show that improving public knowledge and addressing ethics are essential for building support for reef interventions.
Solar geoengineering, delay, and addiction
Authirs: Britta Clark
Synopsis: This paper examines the analogy between solar geoengineering and opioids to highlight a key tension: common pro-geoengineering arguments—and IAM results—imply that solar geoengineering could justify slower emissions cuts, contradicting broad claims that it must not delay mitigation. The author shows this “consensus” hides deeper disagreements about what counts as harmful substitution. The opioid analogy illustrates how misguided reliance on geoengineering could create policy “addiction” that burdens future generations.
The Anthropocene’s Unjust Heirs: Intergenerational Ethics in a Post-Natural World
Authors: Vareba Dinebari David
Synopsis: This paper argues that intergenerational ethics must be redefined for the Anthropocene, where future generations will inherit not a natural Earth but a technologically managed one shaped by geoengineering, genetic rescue, and automated conservation. Traditional duties of preservation no longer suffice; instead, humanity now bears a “Techno-Stewardship” responsibility. The proposed framework, Techno-Stewardship Justice, highlights obligations to transmit management capacity, avoid unjust technological dependencies, and protect future autonomy in a post-natural world.
G6-1.5K-MCB: Marine Cloud Brightening Scenario design for the Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) in CESM2.1, E3SMv2.0, and UKESM1.1 - Preprint
Authors: Haruki Hirasawa, Matthew Henry, Philip J. Rasch, Robert Wood, Sarah J. Doherty, et al.
Synopsis: This paper introduces the G6-1.5K-MCB protocol for simulating marine cloud brightening within GeoMIP. By injecting sea-salt aerosol in midlatitudes, the scenario offsets greenhouse-gas warming without triggering strong La Niña responses. Tests across three Earth System Models show MCB can hold global temperatures at 2020–2039 levels, though required emissions vary widely due to aerosol–cloud uncertainties. The protocol is proposed as a foundation for future model intercomparisons.
The global climate response to High-Latitude Low-Altitude Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (HiLLA-SAI) - Preprint
Authors: Alistair Duffey, Walker Lee, Lauren Wheeler, Peter Irvine, Benjamin Wagman, Matthew Henry, Daniele Visioni, et al.
Synopsis: This study presents the first multi-model assessment of high-latitude, low-altitude SAI (HiLLA-SAI). Although less cooling-efficient than high-altitude tropical SAI, HiLLA-SAI could use existing aircraft and still delivers substantial global effects. Simulations show ~0.6 °C cooling per 12 Mt SO₂ at 13 km, increasing at 15 km. Cooling and climate impacts are more polar-focused but remain globally significant. Results suggest HiLLA-SAI is a feasible early-stage deployment option requiring further study.
Trail Guide to a Gigaton - The only correct way to save the world
Climate Playbook - Cooling the Planet: The New Race to Reflect the Sun
Genetic Literacy Project - With global temperatures rising, it’s time to take a fresh look at geoengineering — is it feasible and affordable?
Legal Planet - Should private firms be involved in cooling the planet?
Business Day - COP30: CSOs, indigenous groups warn against rising threat of geoengineering
These Times - The Overshoot Presidency and the State of Climate Politics
Huff Post - Critics Rip Tucker Carlson’s Latest Conspiracy Talk: ‘Insulting To Even Basic Intelligence’
WEF - 5 prominent geoengineering ideas — and why they will not save the poles
Earth.com - First images from Sentinel-4 reveal air pollution hotspots around the world
E&E News by Politico - Documentary explores sci-fi world of geoengineering
Thermopolis - Lawmakers advance ‘geoengineering’ ban following concerns of harmful ‘chemtrails’
Persuasion - COP Can’t Cope With Climate Risks
Business Day - COP30: Climate justice movements reject geoengineering, relaunch manifesto in Belém
The Conversation - Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it
Undark - National Political Scrutiny of Cloud Seeding Looms Over Utah
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Volunteer Trustee with financial expertise at The Degrees Initiative | Remote
“The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that builds the capacity of developing countries to evaluate solar radiation modification (SRM), a controversial proposal for reducing some impacts of climate change by reflecting sunlight away from the Earth.”
External Affairs Lead at Reflective | Remote, San Francisco, California, United States
“Reflective is a philanthropically-funded initiative to develop the necessary knowledge base on SRM and do the requisite technology research and development, urgently and responsibly.”
Lead Scientist – MEER China Programme | China
“MEER (Mirrors for Earth’s Energy Rebalancing) is a non-profit research and development organisation dedicated to addressing Earth’s energy imbalance through surface-based climate adaptation and mitigation technologies.”
Nature vs. Unnature: Public Perception of Solar Geoengineering, with Kaitlin Raimi | Resources Radio
“In this week’s episode, host Kristin Hayes talks with Kaitlin Raimi about public perceptions of solar geoengineering. Raimi, a social psychologist and associate professor at the University of Michigan, describes how only around 15 or 25 percent of people know what solar geoengineering is, and those who are aware tend to be wary of the concept. She discusses techniques to inform the public about the benefits and pitfalls of solar engineering, avoid political polarization, and prevent solar geoengineering from being seen as the only solution needed to tackle climate change.”
Bragg winners for science writing, more from the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science and water droplets used for geoengineering | The Science Show
“Launch of The Best Australian Science Writing 2025 and the Bragg Prize for Science Writing
* Climate intervention becoming increasingly urgent
* 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools”
Albedo Accord: A Practicke Tool to Cool the Planet | Robbie Tulip
“To plant a tree, the best time was twenty years ago. The next best time is today. The same applies to the need to restore our planetary sunlight reflection. We should have begun to slow the darkening of the Earth many years ago.”
The Science and Politics of Geoengineering with Ted Parson | Nate Hagens
“In this episode, Nate interviews Professor Ted Parson about solar geoengineering (specifically stratospheric aerosol injection) as a potential response to severe climate risks. They explore why humanity may need to consider deliberately cooling Earth by spraying reflective particles in the upper atmosphere, how the technology would work, as well as the risks and enormous governance challenges involved. Ted emphasizes the importance of having these difficult conversations now, so that we’re prepared for the wide range of climate possibilities in the future.
How does stratospheric aerosol injection actually work? What is the likelihood that a major nation (or rogue billionaire) might employ this approach in the next thirty years? What ethical, moral, and biophysical concerns should we consider as we weigh the costs and benefits of further altering Earth’s planetary balance?”
Sunlight Reflection Methods (SRM) Part 1: How to Reflect Sunlight (Featuring David Keith) | UChicago Climate Systems Engineering initiative
“David Keith provides an overview of sunlight reflection methods (SRM), the history of SRM, and why stratospheric aerosols like sulfur are central to climate systems engineering approaches.”
Solar Climate Intervention Virtual Symposium 21 (Dr Kanishk Gohil & Dr Jake Gristey) | Solar Climate Intervention Talks
“Dr Kanishk Gohil (NCAR, USA): “Warm Cloud Microphysics: Climate Impacts and Implications for Marine Cloud Brightening”
Dr Jake Gristey (NOAA, USA): “Changes in Cloud Brightness Caused By Stratospheric Aerosol Injection.”
Artificially cooling the Earth? Why solar geoengineering won’t save the climate – Sandro Vattioni | ETH Treffpunkt Science City
“The sun is the most important energy source for life on Earth and also the driving force behind the global climate. At the same time, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, and the consequences of climate change are becoming noticeable. Can we stop global warming? Solar geoengineering aims to reflect some of the sun’s radiation back into space, thereby cooling the Earth. However, the idea is controversial. It offers no solution to climate change but could mitigate its effects in the short term. How does solar geoengineering work? What ethical and environmental risks are associated with its use, and what role does global justice play?”
ATLAS25 - So what’s the plan? | Operaatio Arktis
“ATLAS25 was organised to bridge scientific understanding on Earth System Tipping Points (ESTP) with strategic policy-making including approaches to climate intervention research.”
Discover Climate Repair: Discover the Possibilities | Centre for Climate Repair
10-21 November | Belem - COP30 Brasil Amazonia
14 - 30 November | Online - Documentary Plan C For Civilization World Premiere
21 November | Online - Next Climate Intervention Virtual Symposium (NEW)
01 December | Online & In-person (UK) - Good COP, Bad COP: First reflections on COP30 by Centre for Climate Repair
09 December | Online - What is Global Cooling? by Sebastian Manhart (NEW)
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
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