Atlantic Council Issue Brief: Accelerating Climate Intervention Research to Improve Climate Security
The world is currently experiencing unprecedented global temperatures and extreme weather events, with record heat waves and devastating storms. Last month, the world experienced the hottest days ever observed, with four days of record-breaking temperatures taking place in the span of just one week. Around the globe, climate-linked disasters are occurring more frequently, and scientists continue to publish research on the escalating risks of natural systems crossing major climate tipping points.
Climate impacts now affect daily life, public welfare, commercial industries, natural resources, the economy, and global security. As the world grapples with extreme conditions, interest in approaches to rapidly reduce warming—climate intervention—is growing. The most scientifically promising, and prominent, of these is the reflection of sunlight from clouds and particles in the atmosphere, known as solar radiation modification (SRM).
In the past two years, official reports from U.S., E.U., UN and scientific bodies, including, most recently, the U.S. Defense Sciences Board, have recommended research on and scientific assessment of SRM to help society evaluate its potential impacts. This research is now critical: these interventions could help prevent suffering and alleviate stress on human and natural systems, but pose their own environmental and security risks, as well as significant governance challenges.
In a new issue brief with the Atlantic Council, we explore SRM approaches and associated research needs, and discuss critical gaps in the information required to govern these technologies effectively. We also outline possible paths forward to strengthen international cooperation and support equitable and effective decision-making—particularly with respect to those most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
We thank the Atlantic Council for their support on this important issue and invite you to read the Issue Brief.
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Kelly Wanser
Executive Director, SilverLining
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