Andrew PARKER,
Solar radiation management geoengineering (SRM) is a theoretical proposal for reducing some of the impacts of climate change by reflecting some sunlight back into space. Leading proposals include spraying reflective aerosols into the stratosphere to replicate the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions or spraying seawater into low-lying marine clouds to make them brighter and more reflective.
SRM is only at the research stage but it is extremely controversial. It has the potential to be very helpful in the fight against climate change because it is the only known way to quickly stop or reverse the rise in glbal temperatures, and if emissions cuts prove insufficient, SRM could be the only way to keep warming below 1.5C or 2C. But it could also be very harmful, because it could have dangerous physical side effects, it could distract policymakers from the crucial task of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and it could cause political tensions or even conflict.
This talk will provide an introduction to SRM, covering both scientific and socio-political implications. It will not give any answers on whether SRM should ever be used, but it will give an overview of the topic that will allow for more in-depth discussions.
Keywords: Geoengineering|SRM|solar radiation management
A103529AP