Solar Geoengineering Developments Underscore Urgent Need for Restrictive Governance Frameworks
By
Mary Church
2d ago· 6 min readenOpinion
100/100
Golden Brown
Bagelometer↗
Master baker tier. Every paragraph earns its place on the tray.
Score100TypeopinionSentimentnegative
Summary
The article discusses three recent developments in solar geoengineering (solar radiation modification/SRM) that underscore the urgency of establishing restrictive governance frameworks. It argues that well-funded actors are pushing for normalization of these technologies while private companies seek to commercialize them, despite solar geoengineering being inherently unpredictable and risky. The piece warns that testing cannot be done safely without large-scale implementation, which would effectively constitute deployment with potentially catastrophic unintended consequences.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledSolar geoengineering — technologies designed to reflect or dim sunlight and artificially cool Earth — is inherently unpredictable.
Testing its intended and unintended impacts cannot be done without prolonged, large-scale implementation, which would effectively constitute deployment.
As well-funded actors push for normalization and private companies seek to commercialize highly speculative and controversial solar geoengineering technologies, three recent developments illustrate the growing urgency to advance restrictive governance frameworks.
Three recent developments illustrate the growing urgency to advance restrictive governance frameworks for solar radiation modification (SRM).
