June 6th | 15:00-16:00 CET / 9:00-10:00 EDT | Online
This was the opening session of the Co-CREATE Webinar Series. The series seeks to share the latest research on SRM research governance in an accessible and engaging manner–and, in doing so, to facilitate informed public engagement with this important yet contested topic.
Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) refers to a set of technologies which aim to limit global warming by reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. This contentious set of technologies could potentially help reduce some of the impacts of climate change – but also entail considerable uncertainties and risks.
Views on SRM research are diverse, and conversations can be contentious. Some are concerned that research and development of SRM would distract from vital efforts to reduce emissions. Others view SRM deployment as a potential opportunity to limit the worst impacts of the climate crisis. Many remain undecided, but see a need to research risks, uncertainties, and potential benefits.
As global temperatures cross the 1.5°C line, there is a growing debate on whether research on SRM may be warranted to reduce uncertainties about these technologies and lower the probability of problematic outcomes. Yet current governance frameworks remain disciplinarily narrow and ill-equipped to inform decisions on whether (and in what circumstances) SRM research and experiments may be warranted from scientific and societal viewpoints.
The Co-CREATE Project seeks to help address this through an interdisciplinary assessment of scientific, ethical, and governance considerations covering the key dimensions of experimental SRM research. In this webinar, our Consortium shared an accessible and comprehensive account of current knowledge of SRM and its key governance dimensions. The session aimed to support newcomers to this topic and facilitate a more inclusive dialogue on SRM research governance.
Presentations covered:
- SRM science, its risks, and potential contributions to climate stabilization.
- Current state of SRM research, including hypothetical case studies of field tests and related activities.
- The legal and governance landscape that may apply to SRM research.