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RESEARCH PAPER: Preliminary Structural System Design for Planetary Sunshade (MDPI)
COMMENTARY: The DOGE Subcommittee Hearing on Weather Modification Was a Nest of Conspiracy Theorizing (WIRED)
OPINION PIECE: Turns Out Air Pollution Was Good for Something (The New York Times)
PERSPECTIVE: Sunscreen for the planet (Works in Progress)
JOB OPPORTUNITY: Policy Engagement Manager (The Degrees Initiative)
UPCOMING EVENT: Safeguarding the polar regions from dangerous geoengineering: a critical assessment of proposed and future prospects by (Frontiers in Science)
DISCUSSION: ‘A Responsible Way to Cool the Planet'?! (Climate Chat)
Read on to unpack more updates:
Afro-Asian Climate Response to Future Solar Radiation Management
Authors: Tolulope E. Adeliyi, Akintomide A. Akinsanola, Thierry N. Taguela
Synopsis: This study evaluates SRM via stratospheric aerosol injection (G6Sulfur) and solar dimming (G6Solar) in mitigating future heat stress across Afro-Asian monsoon regions. Using GeoMIP CMIP6 simulations, both methods reduce mean, max, and min temperatures by over 3 °C in some areas and significantly cut heatwave frequency, duration, and intensity. Cooling is linked to reduced radiation and water vapor. Results show SRM could lower future heat risks and population exposure, easing health and infrastructure pressures.
Preliminary Structural System Design for Planetary Sunshade
Authors: Joel Town, Nishanth Pushparaj and Chantal Cappelletti
Synopsis: This study explores the structural design of a planetary sunshade at L1 to reduce solar irradiance. Using ECSS methodology, weighted decision matrices, and FEA validation, the team developed a 1297 m² sail of four triangular segments, deployed via booms with arch-shaped cross-sections for stiffness. The design achieves a 25× radius expansion ratio and 0.5 sail efficiency, ensuring robustness under Atlas V launch conditions and enabling scalable, rapid production for space-based climate intervention.
Sky Wars: Escalation Pathways in the Age of Solar Geoengineering - Preprint
Authors: Gideon Futerman, Peter Rautenbach
Synopsis: This piece examines SRM through securitization theory, showing how it can transform climate change into a perceived security threat. SRM could enable attribution of climate disasters to deploying actors, creating a “threatening Other” and justifying exceptional responses, including conflict. A typology of conflict pathways is presented, highlighting how securitization mechanisms heighten risks. The study also introduces a new risk: conflict triggered by counter-geoengineering, once seen as a conflict off-ramp.
Wind-Driven Circulation Feedbacks Offset Tropical Geoengineered Sea Salt Emissions - Preprint
Authors: Cindy Wang, Leo J. Donner, Naser G. A. Mahfouz
Synopsis: Simulations of geoengineered sea salt aerosol (SSA) emissions in the tropics using a NOAA GFDL model show cooling weakens the Equator–mid-latitude gradient, reducing westerlies and suppressing SSA by 23%. Wind speed mainly controls emissions. Coupled vs fixed-SST runs diverge, with the latter boosting SSA. Results reveal aerosol injection alters both emissions and circulation, potentially limiting intended climate effects.
Uncertainties of SAI efficiency and impacts depending on the complexity of the aerosol microphysical model - Preprint
Authors: Simone Tilmes, Daniele Visioni, Ilaria Quaglia, Yunqian Zhu, Charles G. Bardeen, Francis Vitt, and Pengfei Yu
Synopsis: In this study, CESM experiments compare two aerosol schemes - MAM4 (modal) and CARMA (sectional) - to evaluate SAI. Results show MAM4 overestimates aerosol burden and radiative efficiency, especially at high injection rates, while CARMA shifts mass into larger particles, reducing efficiency. Both confirm AM-H₂SO₄ is more effective than SO₂. Findings highlight that sectional models are needed for more accurate SAI efficacy and impact assessments.
Planetary sunshade system concept of operations
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Modeling the far-reaching climate responses of regional geoengineering proposals
Authors: Wan, Jessica Shen Yi
Synopsis: This dissertation examines regional marine cloud brightening (MCB) as a solar geoengineering strategy to reduce climate risks. Chapter 1 evaluates MCB in the North Pacific, showing impacts on U.S. heat stress through teleconnections. Chapter 2 investigates MCB in the Southeast Subtropical Pacific, modeling effects on ENSO and identifying strategies to weaken El Niño. Chapter 3 quantifies societal impacts, revealing potential economic and marine ecosystem benefits from targeted ENSO damping. Findings highlight both promise and uncertainties of regional MCB.
Inside Climate News - UN Sessions on Solar Geoengineering Trigger Unease
David Keith - Preserving Earth’s Reflectivity: Supplementary Comments on “A Responsible Way to Cool the Planet”
Axios - Climate scientist discusses "chemtrails" conspiracy theories
Scottish Government - Solar geoengineering plans: EIR release
EOS - Geoengineering Fears on Display at Congressional Hearing
Scottish Government - Advanced Research and Innovation Agency’s (ARIA) Exploring Climate Change Programme: EIR release
CNA - Commentary: Sea curtains and glass beads? Zany climate ideas show how far off track we are
WIRED - The DOGE Subcommittee Hearing on Weather Modification Was a Nest of Conspiracy Theorizing
AEI - Statement of Dr. Roger Pielke Jr. to the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the United States House of Representatives
The Epoch Times - Experts Urge Government Ban on Solar Geoengineering
New World Journal - Securing the ‘great white shield’? Climate change, Arctic security and the geopolitics of solar geoengineering
Works in Progress - Sunscreen for the planet
TCD - Lawmakers take controversial action after discussing 'chemtrail' conspiracy theory: 'That's not natural'
TCD - Scientists issue warning against dangerous schemes proposed in the Arctic: 'Fringe ideas'
ARC - Vanishing Arctic Ice: Why Responsible Research into Arctic Stabilization is Now Essential
The New York Times - Turns Out Air Pollution Was Good for Something
ABC News - Fact-checking what lawmakers said during congressional weather modification hearing
Policy Engagement Manager at The Degrees Initiative | Remote, based in either the UK or Asia | Deadline: 19 October 2025
"The Degrees Initiative is a UK-based NGO that builds the capacity of developing countries to evaluate solar radiation modification geoengineering (SRM)."
Brighter Clouds, Cooler Future? An interactive installation to measure public acceptance of climate intervention research by Annelot Broerze | Delft University of Technology
"As a society, we face the urgent challenge of global warming. As part of climate action research, we explore Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) - a method that could potentially help cool the earth. In this project, we are developing an interactive installation, including a discussion table, to engage the public on climate action, MCB, and future small-scale field trials. From Lowlands Festival to government ministries, this installation aims to both inform and gather public perspectives, supporting our research direction and communication strategy."
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
24 September | Online - Safeguarding the polar regions from dangerous geoengineering: a critical assessment of proposed and future prospects by Frontiers in Science (NEW)
25 September | Online - Stratospheric Aerosol Injection and the Monsoon: What We Know and What We Don’t by Healthy Climate Initiative (NEW)
26 September | Online - Climate Intervention Virtual Symposia #20 (NEW)
30 September | Belgium - Grappling with accelerating climate risks - Is it time to explore research into Solar Radiation Modification? by Euractive
30 September | Online - Making sense of sea ice and solar geoengineering by SRM360
Saturdays 04 October - 22 November 22 | Online & In-person - An Intro to Climate Systems Engineering by Members of the Climate Systems Engineering Initiative (including David Keith, Tiffany Shaw, and B.B. Cael)
05 October | Online - Denial to Disaster: The Consequences of Ignoring Climate Science by MEER
6 – 9 October | Online - Virtual workshop series on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection
09 October | United States - Geoengineering, Global Warming & Sunlight Reflection Methods by Manny's
15-16 October | Online - Conference: The Global Heating Emergency Preventing 2°C by 2040: What’s the Plan? by Healthy Planet Action Coalition (NEW)
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
Risk Realism: Cooling a Livable Planet w/ David Spratt | MEER SRM
"David Spratt joins hosts Arjana and Kathy to talk climate risk, tipping points, and the case for surface-based, reversible cooling alongside deep decarbonization. Practical, people-first strategies to cut heat stress now—no silver bullets, just grounded engineering."
Ocean Nanobubbles and Buoyant Flakes | Healthy Planet Action Coalition
"Sev Clarke discusses the climate cooling potential of ocean nanobubbles and buoyant flakes. Sev is an independent Australian inventor of climate solutions and industrial process efficiencies. He has a double degree in Chemistry, History & Economics from Melbourne University, followed ten years later with a Stanford MBA. He was the Australian Defence Department’s inaugural Director of Knowledge Management. He suggests that his main skills are in taking other peoples ideas and rejigging them so they should work - and in quickly determining those that are infeasible for given reasons. Sev is a co-author of this HPAC cooling paper that includes more detailed descriptions of these approaches."
'A Responsible Way to Cool the Planet'?! | Climate Chat
"Dan Miller and Leon Simons talk about New York Times Opinion article on Sunlight Reflection Methods (SRM) by Zeke Hausfath and David Keith.
Humanity will be forced to make a balanced assessment of the risks of (intentionally) cooling vs not cooling the planet."
Playing God with the Weather – A Disastrous Forecast | GOP Oversight
HCI Short Film | Healthy Climate Initiative | Healthy Climate Initiative
"A changing climate threatens our coasts, forests, and future—but there is hope. The Healthy Climate Initiative: Regenerating Our Future is a short film that tells the story of scientists, communities, and young leaders working together to cool the planet, restore ecosystems, and inspire collective action. From reforestation in rural villages to workshops at leading universities, HCI is building a movement for a safe and thriving future. Join us in regenerating our planet."
A New Paradigm From the Arctic: Harm Reduction and Geoengineering | Remove and Reflect Podcast
"This episode covers a Viewpoint article published in the journal Frontiers in Science in September 2025, authored by John C. Moore, Marc Macias-Fauria, and Michael Wolovick, which presents a "compassionate harm reduction" paradigm for addressing climate change. The authors argue that the traditional "consequences-based paradigm" - where scientists only warn the public about negative effects - has failed to generate the necessary political action for deep decarbonization. Instead, they propose that climate scientists should explore all potential solutions, including geoengineering research, to minimize harm, maintaining that such research and decarbonization are not mutually exclusive. The article stresses the need for a rights-based perspective and the central involvement of Arctic peoples in any decision-making regarding interventions in the region, countering arguments that research into climate interventions is inherently risky or a distraction from emissions cuts."
Geoengineering: The Science and Myths of Climate Intervention | eCornell
"As concerns about climate change intensify, researchers are exploring the potential for large-scale human intervention in the Earth’s climate system – a set of strategies collectively known as geoengineering. Some of these strategies, called sunlight reflection methods, involve techniques like adding aerosols to the stratosphere to reflect a small portion of solar radiation back into space. Though still in the early stages of research, sunlight reflection and other geoengineering ideas raise complex scientific, ethical, and political questions."
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