Detailed report on the use of solar geoengineering
20 days ago
- A San Francisco nonprofit, Reflective, has published a detailed roadmap for experiments and studies needed to make informed decisions about solar geoengineering, specifically stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI).
- The roadmap outlines three phases: foundational knowledge (laboratory and computer studies), outdoor experiments releasing 10 tons of sulfur dioxide, and larger experiments releasing up to 25,000 tons, with total costs of $370 million over a decade if coordinated.
- The report advocates for outdoor experiments, which is controversial; critics argue such powerful technology cannot be governed equitably and that small-scale experiments cannot resolve key governance and intergenerational equity questions.
- Supporters claim the research is essential to reduce uncertainty and prevent panic-driven decisions, while opponents fear termination shock and that the technology would disproportionately harm future generations.
- The roadmap includes 'stage gates' to halt research if results show negative impacts or fail to reduce crucial uncertainties.