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UK makes SRM research push: The UK’s Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has earmarked GBP 10 mn (USD 13.2 mn) to research Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) — an experimental form of geoengineering that can induce atmospheric cooling — to offset rising global temperatures, Bloomberg reported last week. The push will support four studies exploring the possible effects and risks of solar radiation modification measures.
What’s being researched? One of the methods to be exploited by the studies covers what is dubbed atmospheric aerosol intervention, in which dispersing reflective particles are inject into the atmosphere to block sun radiations. One study is exploring marine cloud brightening — raising the reflectivity of clouds via sea water spray, and another study aims to assess the environmental effects of these methods by using models that compare the interventions to volcanic eruptions and shifts in shipping’s sulfur emissions — a type of emissions combated by the shipping industry that turned to be helpful in slowing warming.
There’re major risks: Despite the potential benefits, SRM poses significant risks, such as altering weather and rainfall patterns and increasing the prevalence of infectious diseases like Malaria. Historical evidence from volcanic eruptions shows that rapid cooling can have severe consequences, such as ozone layer damage, crop failures and disease outbreaks. However, the tech could be our best shot in a worst-case warming scenario, former WTO Director Pascal Lamy argued in September last year.
REMEMBER- Interest in the tech is picking up: An increasing number of Silicon Valley investors — including the likes of Bill Gates, Sam Altman, and several Meta Platforms affiliates — have reportedly backed startups testing with the tech last year, such as Make Sunsets and Stardust Solutions. Earlier in 2023, the nonprofit research organization The Degrees Initiative announced it, in collaboration with the United Nations, would disburse upward of USD 900k to 81 scientists in the Global South studying SRM.
