SOLAR GEOENGINEERING WEEKLY SUMMARY (19 AUGUST - 25 AUGUST 2024) <https://substack.com/app-link/publications/1346479/drafts/8bcfb7c8-85e9-40ff-ad32-e67794f22657?publication_id=1346479&post_id=148155939&utm_source=post-email-title&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false>
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive monthly updates on Solar Geoengineering: Solar Geoengineering Updates <https://solargeoengineeringupdates.substack.com?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=publication_embed&utm_medium=email> Monthly news summaries about solar geoengineering. Links to scientific papers, news articles, jobs, podcasts, and videos. <https://solargeoengineeringupdates.substack.com?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=publication_embed&utm_medium=email> By Andrew Lockley <https://solargeoengineeringupdates.substack.com?utm_source=substack&utm_campaign=publication_embed&utm_medium=email> ------------------------------ RESEARCH PAPERSSolar Geoengineering: History, Methods, Governance, Prospects <https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-environ-112321-081911> Parson, E. A., & Keith, D. W. (2024). Solar Geoengineering: History, Methods, Governance, Prospects. *Annual Review of Environment and Resources*, *49*. *Abstract* Solar geoengineering, also called sunlight reflection or solar radiation modification (SRM), is a potential climate response that would cool the Earth's surface and reduce many other climate changes by scattering on order 1% of incoming sunlight back to space. SRM can only imperfectly correct for elevated greenhouse gases, but it might complement other climate responses to reduce risks, while also bringing new risks and new challenges to global governance. As climate alarm and calls for effective near-term action mount, SRM is attracting sharply increased attention and controversy, with many calls for expanded research and governance consultations along with ongoing concerns about risks, misuse, or overreliance. We review SRM's history, methods, potential uses and impacts, and governance needs, prioritizing the approach that is most prominent and promising, stratospheric aerosol injection. We identify several policy-relevant characteristics of SRM interventions and identify four narratives that capture current arguments over how SRM might be developed or used in socio-political context to either beneficial or destructive effect, with implications for near-term research, assessment, and governance activity. Baseline Climate Variables for Earth System Modelling <https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-2363/> Juckes, M., Taylor, K. E., Antonio, F., Brayshaw, D., Buontempo, C., Cao, J., ... & Dingley, B. (2024). Baseline Climate Variables for Earth System Modelling. *EGUsphere*, *2024*, 1-37. *Abstract* The Baseline Climate Variables for Earth System Modelling (ESM-BCVs) are defined as a list of 132 variables which have high utility for the evaluation and exploitation of climate simulations. The list reflects the most heavily used elements of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) archive. Successive phases of CMIP have supported strong results in science and substantial influence in international climate policy formulation. This paper responds both to interest in exploiting CMIP data standards in a broader range of climate modelling activities and a need to achieve greater clarity about the significance and intention of variables in the CMIP Data Request. As Earth System Modelling (ESM) archives grow in scale and complexity there are emerging problems associated with weak standardisation at the variable collection level. That is, there are good standards covering how specific variables should be archived, but this paper fills a gap in the standardisation of which variables should be archived. The ESM-BCV list is intended as a resource for ESM Model INtercomparison Projects (MIPs) developing requests to enable greater consistency among MIPs, and as a reference for modelling centres to enhance consistency within MIPs. Provisional planning for the CMIP7 Data Request exploits the ESM-BCVs as a core element. The baseline variables list includes 98 variables which have modest or minor data volume footprints and could be generated systematically when simulations are produced and archived for exploitation by the WCRP community. A further 34 variables are classed as high volume and are only suitable for production when the resource implications are justified. Securing the ‘great white shield’? Climate change, Arctic security and the geopolitics of solar geoengineering <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00108367241269629> Kornbech, N., Corry, O., & McLaren, D. (2024). Securing the ‘great white shield’? Climate change, Arctic security and the geopolitics of solar geoengineering. *Cooperation and Conflict*, 00108367241269629. *Abstract* The Arctic has been identified by scientists as a relatively promising venue for controversial ‘solar geoengineering’ – technical schemes to reflect more sunlight to counteract global warming. Yet contemporary regional security dynamics and the relative (in)significance of climate concerns among the key Arctic states suggest a different conclusion. By systematically juxtaposing recently published schemes for Arctic geoengineering with Arctic security strategies published by the littoral Arctic states and China, we reveal and detail two conflicting security imaginaries. Geoengineering schemes scientifically securitise (and seek to maintain) the Arctic’s ‘great white shield’ to protect ‘global’ humanity against climate tipping points and invoke a past era of Arctic ‘exceptionality’ to suggest greater political feasibility for research interventions here. Meanwhile, state security imaginaries understand the contemporary Arctic as an increasingly contested region of considerable geopolitical peril and economic opportunity as temperatures rise. Alongside the entangled history of science with geopolitics in the region, this suggests that geoengineering schemes in the Arctic are unlikely to follow scientific visions, and unless co-opted into competitive, extractivist state security imaginaries, may prove entirely infeasible. Moreover, if the Arctic is the ‘best-case’ for geoengineering politics, this places a huge question mark over the feasibility of other, more global prospects. Quantifying the Direct Radiative Effect of Stratospheric Aerosols Using Radiative Kernels <https://essopenarchive.org/doi/pdf/10.22541/essoar.172374105.56686934> Yu, Q., & Huang, Y. (2024). Quantifying the Direct Radiative Effect of Stratospheric Aerosols Using Radiative Kernels. *Authorea Preprints*. *Abstract* To facilitate the quantification of the stratospheric aerosol radiative effect, this study generates a set of aerosol direct radiative effect (ADRE) kernels based on MERRA-2 reanalysis data. These radiative kernels measure the sensitivities of ADRE to perturbations in scattering and absorbing aerosol optical depth (AOD), respectively. Both broadband and band-by-band radiative kernels are developed to account for the wavelength dependency of ADRE. The broadband kernels are then emulated by a multivariate regression model, which predicts the kernel values from a handful of predictors, including the top-of-atmosphere (TOA) insolation, TOA reflectance, and stratospheric AOD. These kernels offer an efficient and versatile way to assess the ADRE of stratospheric aerosols. The ADREs of the 2022 Hunga volcano eruption and the 2020 Australia wildfire are estimated from the kernels and validated against radiative transfer model-calculated results. The Hunga eruption induced a global mean cooling forcing of -0.46 W/m² throughout 2022, while the Australia wildfire caused a warming forcing of +0.28 W/m² from January to August. The kernel estimation can capture over 90% of the ADRE variance with relative error within 10%, in these assessments. The results demonstrate the spectral dependencies of stratospheric ADRE and highlight the distinct radiative sensitivity of stratospheric aerosols, which differs significantly from that of tropospheric aerosols. ------------------------------ WEB POSTSScientists propose guidelines for solar geoengineering research <https://phys.org/news/2024-08-scientists-guidelines-solar-geoengineering.html> (Phys.Org)Record number of Global South scientists attend GeoMIP 2024 <https://www.degrees.ngo/record-number-of-global-south-scientists-attend-geomip-2024/> (The Degrees Initiative)The Promise of Geoengineering <https://www.aei.org/articles/the-promise-of-geoengineering/> (AEI)Andrew Ng’s new model lets you play around with solar geoengineering to see what would happen <https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/08/23/1097292/andrew-ngs-new-model-lets-you-play-around-with-solar-geoengineering-to-see-what-would-happen/> (MIT Technology Review)Marine Geoengineering Will Not Save the Oceans or the Climate <https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/marine-geoengineering-is-just-another-form-of-pollution-by-lili-fuhr-and-james-kerry-2024-08> (Project Syndicate)The overshoot myth: you can’t keep burning fossil fuels and expect scientists of the future to get us back to 1.5°C <https://theconversation.com/the-overshoot-myth-you-cant-keep-burning-fossil-fuels-and-expect-scientists-of-the-future-to-get-us-back-to-1-5-c-230814> (The Conversation) [image: Scientists propose guidelines for solar geoengineering research] <https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F554bd5eb-3cf6-4106-8972-c1710dd14443_800x461.jpeg> Scientists propose guidelines for solar geoengineering research <https://phys.org/news/2024-08-scientists-guidelines-solar-geoengineering.html> (Phys.Org) ------------------------------ JOB OPPORTUNITIESPostdoctoral Scholar Opportunity in Aerosol Microphysics Modeling at UChicago <https://geosci.uchicago.edu/postdoctoral-scholar-opportunity-in-aerosol-microphysics-modeling-at-uchicago/> "Wang Aerosol Lab (PI: Mingyi Wang) at the University of Chicago is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to join our interdisciplinary research team in a position supported by the University of Chicago’s Climate Systems Engineering initiative (Director: David Keith). Our focus is on aerosol microphysics modeling for solar geoengineering, with the aim of understanding two key areas: (1) the near-field aerosol number size distribution and efficacy of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) methods, and (2) the impact of SAI aerosols on tropospheric aerosol-cloud interactions. Despite ongoing climate mitigation efforts, achieving the 1.5 °C target remains a significant challenge. In addition to CO2 reduction strategies, solar geoengineering, particularly the methods that involve injecting particles or inducing particle formation in the stratosphere, is being studied as a potential last resort to prevent global warming from exceeding critical climate tipping points. However, this form of human intervention comes with substantial risks: we have limited knowledge about the evolution of particles in the upper atmosphere and even less about their long-term climate impacts. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly study and constrain aerosol dynamics before considering any actual climate interventions to avoid unintended and potentially adverse consequences." Research Assistant/Associate in Arctic climate dynamics at University of Cambridge | Deadline to apply: 28 August 2024 <https://www.climaterepair.cam.ac.uk/job-opportunities> "The Arctic region has warmed at least twice as rapidly as the global warming trend. Arctic sea-ice has declined dramatically over the past few decades and an ostensibly ice-free summer Arctic in the near future seems like a real possibility. This would have significant global and regional implications and could trigger undesirable feedbacks (e.g. albedo feedback, ocean circulation disruptions). The goal of this project is to explore possible interventions that can hinder the decline trend or help regenerate sea-ice more effectively. The postdoctoral work will focus on high-resolution realistic modelling of the Arctic region, with a focus on ice-ocean interactions. The project will focus on I) enhancing scientific understandings of the physics of sea-ice and its interaction with the density stratified ocean beneath, II) use such knowledge to inform their representation in state-of-art models, and III) use the models to inform possible intervention design and quantify their potentials and hazards. The post-holder will help develop a state-of-the-art model of the Arctic region in collaboration with multiple UK research centres through CANARI. The model will resolve important processes that govern ocean interaction with sea-ice and Greenland ice shelves. The post-holder will also work with industry on implementing optimised algorithms for sampling of data in the Arctic for the purpose of improving the parameterization of various quantities in the model, which in turn will be used to inform potential interventions with the goal of protecting Arctic ice. Sensitivity analysis of model parameterizations will be used to help establish the range of uncertainties of impacts following different potential interventions." Research Associate - Mechanical Engineering at Southern Cross University | Deadline to apply: 15 September 2025 <https://www.timeshighereducation.com/unijobs/listing/378620/research-associate-mechanical-engineering/> "Southern Cross University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate in Mechanical Engineering to join the Cooling and Shading sub-program of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP). This position offers an exciting opportunity to work closely with senior scientists across multiple research organizations on ground-breaking climate interventions. As a Research Associate, you will play a critical role in advancing Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) interventions through innovative engineering solutions. Your core responsibilities will include: -Designing and optimizing bespoke infrastructure for seawater atomization, including pump systems, piping networks and nozzle assemblies. -Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to create functional prototypes of seawater atomization systems. -Ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations in the design and operation of these systems. -Contributing to the University's research profile through publications in high-quality journals." ------------------------------ *UPCOMING EVENTS**Virtual Workshop II: State of SRM Governance and Future Frameworks by DSG <https://substack.com/redirect/428d3066-094c-4e7c-b140-4442a8d17a82?j=eyJ1IjoiMjJrMHl3In0.wQQsFypG52typ8FI2nhnJ8eUoUIIkdCkuhmzxNYKtgE> | 28 August 2024 | Online**In-Person Workshop: Building South African Perspectives on SRM by DSG <https://substack.com/redirect/c20a5bb5-baab-4748-a2d1-e74db8cf3065?j=eyJ1IjoiMjJrMHl3In0.wQQsFypG52typ8FI2nhnJ8eUoUIIkdCkuhmzxNYKtgE> | 30 August 2024 | Cape Town, South Africa*(NEW) Co-CREATE Seminar: The role of public engagement and participation in SRM research <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScRAVUmKSZsMB0ZVn1v6Zl0xlkMuwTHxlYJOEIgoOnQA564WQ/viewform> | 05 September 2024 | Online*(NEW) Panel Discussion: ‘Climate overshoot: devastating risks and possible responses’ by University of Oxford <https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/events/climate-overshoot> | 10 September 2024 | Oxford, London**RFF 2024 SRM Social Science Workshop: Cooperative vs. Non-Cooperative Interventions <https://substack.com/redirect/0f59b1a3-dd46-45e7-b897-2f755c264754?j=eyJ1IjoiMjJrMHl3In0.wQQsFypG52typ8FI2nhnJ8eUoUIIkdCkuhmzxNYKtgE> | 19-20 September 2024 | Washington, DC.**(NEW) Freetown: Cooling a City at the NYC Climate Film Festival | 22 September 2024 <https://x.com/MEERsrm/status/1821855407863668864?t=hZSd4MefHlA18bOYxw3u1A&s=19> | NYC **Solar Geoengineering: Perspectives on Risks, Governance Implications and Political Challenges at New York Climate Action Week <https://sciencesummitunga.vfairs.com/en/#agendamain> | 23 September 2024 | New York**Exploring the Ethics and Societal Interactions of Climate Intervention by the U.S. National Science Foundation <https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/9fb8234e1b8c49a885eb1c5a4a7aa39f>* Discovery workshop focussing on atmospheric science (SRM) | 18 October 2024 | Online Integrative synthesis workshop focusing on identifying gaps in current governance & ethics | 18 November 2024 | Online *The 2025 Degrees Global Forum <https://substack.com/redirect/8521c00b-652a-4d78-822f-7ae393c57068?j=eyJ1IjoiMjJrMHl3In0.wQQsFypG52typ8FI2nhnJ8eUoUIIkdCkuhmzxNYKtgE> | 12-16 May 2025 | Cape Town, South Africa**Artic Repair Conference 2025 by University of Cambridge & Center for Climate Repair <https://substack.com/redirect/90f81f14-d09c-4418-8d97-c6621d753433?j=eyJ1IjoiMjJrMHl3In0.wQQsFypG52typ8FI2nhnJ8eUoUIIkdCkuhmzxNYKtgE> | 26-28 June 2025 | Cambridge UK* Solar Geoengineering Events Calendar <https://teamup.com/ks64mmvtit583eitxx> ------------------------------ YOUTUBE VIDEOSStanford Panel on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection | Planet Parasol <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Nz5FR3mCI> “A Stanford-hosted virtual panel discussing stratospheric aerosol injection, a potential key tool for managing global temperatures. Held on Thursday, August 15th 2024.” HPAC Discussion with Operaatio Arktis Finland | Robbie Tulip <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQBGv2Yuge0> “Conversation with Anni Pokela and Viktor Jaakkola of Operaatio Arktis. The mission of OA is ‘to preserve the polar ice caps and prevent global tipping points by updating societies' climate strategies by integrating research and development of climate interventions’. They note on their website that ‘Solar radiation reflection technologies, together with emission reductions and carbon sequestration, may have the potential to secure a stable society and a thriving habitat for younger generations’. Anni and Viktor will briefly present the work that they are doing and their plans for the future. This will be followed by an open Q&A.” ------------------------------ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "geoengineering" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/geoengineering/CAHJsh9_RK9YXWdtg2hgvi%2BZd_2rvrPzOOaA7Zj4bkrTquZY4jw%40mail.gmail.com.
