"Climate change is creating impacts that are widespread and severe for individuals, communities, economies, and ecosystems around the world. While efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts are the first line of defense, researchers are exploring other options to reduce warming. Solar geoengineering strategies are designed to cool Earth either by adding small reflective particles to the upper atmosphere, by increasing reflective cloud cover in the lower atmosphere, or by thinning high-altitude clouds that can absorb heat. While such strategies have the potential to reduce global temperatures, they could also introduce an array of unknown or negative consequences. This report concludes that a strategic investment in research is needed to enhance policymakers' understanding of climate response options. The United States should develop a transdisciplinary research program, in collaboration with other nations, to advance understanding of solar geoengineering's technical feasibility and effectiveness, possible impacts on society and the environment, and social dimensions such as public perceptions, political and economic dynamics, and ethical and equity considerations. The program should operate under robust research governance that includes such elements as a research code of conduct, a public registry for research, permitting systems for outdoor experiments, guidance on intellectual property, and inclusive public and stakeholder engagement processes." -- Provided by publisher

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Policy and Global Affairs, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Technology, and Law Committee on Science, Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Committee on Developing a Research Agenda and Research Governance Approaches for Climate Intervention Strategies that Reflect Sunlight to Cool Earth

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Policy and Global Affairs; Division on Earth and Life Studies; Committee on Science Technology and Law; Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate; Committee on Developing a Research Agenda and Research Governance Approaches for Climate Interventio

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA

Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP)

United States, United States of America

Sep 30, 2021

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Source title: Reflecting Sunlight: Recommendations for Solar Geoengineering Research and Research Governance

The National Research Council report Climate Intervention: Reflecting Sunlight to Cool Earth (NRC, 2015) reviewed the state of the science and provided high-level findings and recommendations regarding SG methods. This current study was tasked to update the 2015 assessment of the state of understanding and to provide recommendations for how to establish a research program, what to encompass in the research agenda, and what mechanisms to employ for governing this research

2024-07-01