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A new hope or phantom menace? Exploring climate emotions and public support for climate interventions across 30 countries Baum, C. M., Brutschin, E., Fritz, L., & Sovacool, B. K. (2025). A new hope or phantom menace? Exploring climate emotions and public support for climate interventions across 30 countries. Risk Analysis.Abstract: Emotions are central to human experiences of climate change. Empirical research demonstrates their importance for climate perceptions and climate-related behaviors. The intensifying severity of climate change prompts consideration of emerging, potentially controversial technologies. Alongside mitigation and adaptation, climate intervention proposes to remove carbon dioxide from ambient air (carbon dioxide removal, CDR) or reflect sunlight away from the Earth (solar radiation modification, SRM). Although such options arouse emotional reactions of diverse kinds, the intersection between climate emotions and climate intervention has received limited attention. This article employed a unique, global dataset with 30,284 participants across 30 countries (in 19 languages) to provide insights on 3 questions. We first leveraged the global dataset to map the incidence of fear, hope, anger, sadness, and worry across countries—the first time the climate emotions of adults are investigated on this scale. We also identified significant differences in emotions by level of development, with those in advanced economies reporting weaker levels of climate emotions. Second, using multiple linear regression analyses, we explored the relationship between climate emotions and support for climate-intervention technologies. We determined that the emotions of hope and worry seem to be the most consistently (positively) correlated. Third, we explored if reading about technology categories differentially affected climate emotions. Individuals randomly assigned to read about ecosystems-based CDR were significantly more hopeful about climate change (those about SRM the least). Together, our results provide the first global-level evidence of the relationship between discrete climate emotions and perceptions and support of climate interventions.
Simulated Response of the Climate of Eastern Africa to Stratospheric Aerosol Intervention Misiani, H. O., Opijah, F. J., Endris, H. S., Ouma, J. O., Barasa, B. N., Tye, M. R., & MacMartin, D. G. (2025). Simulated response of the climate of Eastern Africa to stratospheric aerosol intervention. Frontiers in Climate.Abstract: Eastern Africa is vulnerable to extreme climate events, including droughts and floods, which are expected to become more frequent and intense in the future. This paper evaluates the potential of SRM with SAI to influence the projected climate, including extreme events, over the region. The study utilized climate simulation outputs from the Community Earth System Model version 2 with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (CESM2-WACCM6) to assess future climate changes under two scenarios: one without SAI following the SSP2-4.5 emissions pathway, and another with SAI, based on the first set of simulations from the Assessing Responses and Impacts of Solar Climate Intervention on the Earth System with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (ARISE-SAI) project. In the historical period, there is good agreement between the observed and simulated data in representing the spatial distribution of temperature and rainfall over the region, despite the slight overestimation and underestimation by the model in some areas. The model effectively captures the seasonal cycles of rainfall and temperature over the cities of interest. Analysis of future projections indicates that temperatures are expected to rise consistently in the future under the SSP2-4.5 scenario. However, SAI produces a steady trend in the four cities, suggesting SAI's potential to counteract warming in Eastern Africa. Rainfall is projected to increase in the equatorial region compared to the reference period, while other areas remain stable. ARISE-SAI shows higher increases in rainfall during the MAM season but lower increases during the JJAS and OND seasons compared to SSP2-4.5. Overall, the study's findings suggest that SAI technology could have a clear effect in reducing temperatures in Eastern Africa, both in the near-and mid-term futures. However, its impact on rainfall varies by region and season, indicating that further simulations with a wider range of scenarios and analyses are required to assess the robustness of these results. The results of this study should be interpreted cautiously since they are specific to the approach of SAI applied, the modelling experiments employed, and the scenarios considered.
Projected Malaria Transmission Risk Under Climate Intervention in South Asia Hussain, A., Latif, M., Shoaib, M., & Khan, V. (2025). Projected Malaria Transmission Risk Under Climate Intervention in South Asia. Environmental Research Communications.Abstract: This study focuses on the impact of climate intervention under the ARISE-SAI-1.5 scenario of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) on projected malaria distribution in South Asia, relative to climate change under the SSP2-4.5 scenario, during the period 2045 to 2069. A dynamic malaria model is employed to assess the impacts of SAI and climate change on malaria redistribution. In addition to the entomological inoculation rate (EIR), the length of the transmission season (LTS) and malaria cases are considered as quantitative indicators of malaria transmission. The quantification of the projected malaria distribution employing several statistical techniques, including the probability density function technique, enables the assessment of malaria variability and risk across all seven highly climate-vulnerable countries of South Asia (Afghanistan, India, Iran, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan). Due to the lower temperatures achievable under ARISE-SAI-1.5 scenario relative to SSP2-4.5 scenario, the frequency of EIR occurrence shifts toward lower intensity values. This decrease in EIR is more pronounced in populous India and Bangladesh than in the other five South Asian countries during 2045-2069. The projected magnitude of LTS and the frequency of malaria case occurrences also diminish under ARISE-SAI-1.5 in South Asia.
Application of Hollow Glass Microspheres in the Arctic Ocean Would Likely Lead to a Deceleration of Arctic Sea Ice Loss Strawa, A., Olinger, S., Zornetzer, S., Johnson, D., Bhatacharyya, S., Ivanova, D., & Field, L. (2025). Application of hollow glass microspheres in the Arctic Ocean would likely lead to a deceleration of Arctic sea ice loss: A critique of the paper by Webster and Warren (2022). Earth’s Future.Abstract: Avoiding the worst effects of global warming requires a multipronged approach including decarbonizing as quickly as possible, adaptation, greenhouse gas removal, and climate intervention. Additional research is needed to ensure that climate intervention strategies will be safe, effective, and environmentally acceptable. The importance of the Arctic in influencing global climate has led investigators to propose various climate intervention strategies specific to the Arctic. One approach, proposed by Field et al. (2018), is to distribute reflective hollow glass microspheres (HGM) on strategic areas of Arctic sea ice at strategic times to reduce ice melt, thereby slowing the Arctic ice‐albedo feedback and interrupting further acceleration of ice melt. While research into this technique is still in its early stages, results show this approach can effectively slow melt of Arctic sea ice. On the other hand, a recent paper by Webster and Warren (2022), claims that this technique would warm the Arctic and speed up ice loss. Webster and Warren (2022), largely ignore the promising results of field experiments conducted using hollow glass microspheres on pond ice and instead present an analysis that hinges upon a very high absorptance value for HGM. In this commentary, we present new measurements of HGM and show that, when measurement uncertainty is accounted for, their model shows that deploying HGM as proposed by AIP can cool the Arctic and prolong Arctic sea ice.
The UK’s gamble on solar geoengineering is like using aspirin for cancer (The Guardian) Climate research into cloud barriers or Arctic refreezing is worth funding (The Guardian) First Vietnam SRM project will investigate impacts on droughts and floods (The Degrees Initiative) International survey finds that support for climate interventions is tied to being hopeful and worried about climate change (SRA) How One Company Wants to Make Geoengineering Profitable (Undark)
Solar Geoengineering Events Calendar
Geoengineering with Dr Gernot Wagner | The Narrow Window "In this thought-provoking conversation, I was joined by climate economist Dr. Gernot Wagner to explore geoengineering as a potential, albeit highly controversial, tool to counter climate change. We discuss:•Solar geoengineering: A “climate painkiller” that might incentivise complacency•The role of AI in refining climate models and guiding policy•Ethical and policy challenges, including moral hazard and unintended consequences"
SAM webinar - Solar radiation modification: What are the technologies, and what are the risks? | Academia Europaea Cardiff Knowledge Hub  "This webinar, held on 11th March, considered the options on SRM technologies and potential impacts.Following the Scientific Advice Mechanism’s recent reports on Solar radiation modification, we have held a series of webinars considering the issues around SRM. In the third webinar of the series, we examined the options on SRM technologies, the potential risks and impacts, and the prerequisites for possible deployment. It was attended by nearly 100 participants.Key points:Dr Simone Tilmes provided background by looking into why SRM is being researched, what the proposed technologies are, along with potential scenarios and strategies for the use of SRMDr Gabriel Chiodo looked at one SRM technology option, stratospheric injection (SAI), its potential effects and limitationsProfessor Johannes Quaas examined another option, cloud brightening, as well as limited-area SRM. He considered the prerequisites related to modelling, detection and monitoring.The Deputy Chair of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, Professor Naki Nakicenovic, outlined the policy recommendations made by the Group in its Scientific Opinion, particularly as they relate to technologies and possible deployment. Dušan Chrenek, Principal Adviser at DG CLIMA at the European Commission, gave his response to the presentations.There was very lively discussion through the online ‘Chat’ between a highly engaged audience and members of the panel."
SGRP LUNCH TALK - Geoengineering with stratospheric aerosols: What do we need to know? | The Salata Institute at Harvard University  "Doug MacMartin, Cornell University, presents as part of the Solar Geoengineering Research Program Lunchtime Seminar Series.Abstract: To reduce the impacts of future climate change, it is essential to cut emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases. Given where we are today, it is unrealistic to assume that these actions alone will avoid significant climate change damages. But we also know how to deliberately cool the planet: adding aerosols such as sulfate to the stratosphere would reflect sunlight and cool the planet. Climate modeling suggests that this would likely reduce many of the impacts from climate change, with a few caveats.MacMartin talks about why we should be researching this, what we know about the effects, what we don’t know, and how to get to a point where we can better inform future decisions surrounding deployment. Among other things, this requires taking the idea of deployment more seriously, thinking about how one might deploy, including the role of choices such as what latitudes the aerosols are added, and the role of learning during deployment."
Reflecting Sunlight to Save Earth? Inside This Controversial Climate Technology | Synapse  "In this episode of Hardware to Save a Planet, host Dylan Garrett talks with Luke Iseman, founder of Make Sunsets, about tackling climate change through stratospheric aerosol injection. They explore the challenges of scaling hardware solutions, the urgency of immediate climate action, and the ethical debates around geoengineering. Luke shares his vision for using sulfur dioxide balloons to cool the planet, sparking a thought-provoking discussion on innovation and sustainability.Luke Iseman founded Make Sunsets, a pioneering company dedicated to combating climate change through stratospheric aerosol injection. With a background as a hardware startup veteran and former director of hardware at Y Combinator, Luke has a wealth of experience in launching innovative hardware solutions across various sectors, including precision agriculture and affordable housing. His current venture aims to cool the Earth by releasing sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, a process inspired by natural volcanic eruptions that have historically led to global cooling.Luke's work is particularly relevant in the context of the need for urgent climate action and he seeks to respond rapidly to the escalating effects of climate change. Notably, he has successfully engaged over 700 customers, generating significant interest in his cooling credits, which offer a tangible way for individuals and organizations to contribute to climate solutions."
Solar Geoengineering Wars and Atmospheric Governance | Remove and Reflect Podcast  "In this episode, Mr. Sun (AI-character) and Ms. Remove (AI-character) discuss a new paper (preprint) that analyzes the increasing interest in stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) as a temporary climate intervention, driven by the likelihood of exceeding global temperature targets. It highlights the risks associated with SAI, including environmental damage, disruption of weather patterns, and the potential for a "termination shock." The authors emphasize a significant and underexplored danger: unilateral SAI deployment could be perceived as a national security threat, potentially leading to armed conflict due to weak international legal constraints on the use of force. Consequently, the article argues for a specific, legally binding global governance framework for SAI, advocating for its development under the auspices of either the Montreal Protocol or the UNFCCC to prevent unilateral action and mitigate the risk of conflict.Paper: Martin, C., & Moore, S. (2025). Geoengineering Wars and Atmospheric Governance. Available at SSRN.This audio is entirely AI-generated"
Co-CREATE Seminar: The role of public engagement and participation in SRM research | Climate Strategies  "On the 5th of September 2024, the Co-CREATE project hosted a Seminar on The role of public engagement and participation in SRM research.Attendees heard from Shuchi Talati, Founder and Executive Director of the Alliance for Just Deliberations on Solar Geoengineering (DSG). Shuchi discussed her vision driving DSG and some of the missing ingredients for a healthy SRM research ecosystem."
Potential Risks, Benefits and Impacts of Solar Climate Intervention: Jim Hurrell, Colorado State University | University of Texas Institute for Geophysics  "Abstract: Climate change, driven by human activities like fossil fuel burning, is causing rapid global warming that is unprecedented in recent millennia. By 2100, global temperatures could rise significantly higher, exacerbating ice melt, sea-level rise, and causing irreversible harm to ecosystems and human societies, particularly impacting vulnerable populations. The potential severe consequences of future climate change and relatively weak climate action to-date is leading to a growing interest among researchers, governments, NGOs and policy analysts in understanding if the deployment of some form of Solar Climate Intervention (SCI) would help to reduce some adverse climate change impacts while humanity works to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. SCI refers to a set of proposed large-scale interventions aimed at reflecting sunlight back into space to cool Earth. While it is generally accepted that SCI is the only way to quickly reduce global climate warming, proposed SCI strategies involve significant, uncertain risks that must be understood. In this presentation, I will summarize some recent, interdisciplinary research aimed at holistically assessing the benefits and risks of SCI, relative to the risks posed by climate change."
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