Wil Sillen's post
Wil Sillen
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Is Solar Radiation Managemen a good idea?
Solar Radiation Management (SRM), also known as solar geoengineering, is a type of climate engineering approach that aims to mitigate or reverse global warming by reflecting sunlight (i.e., solar radiation) back into space before it is absorbed by the Earth12.
There are several proposed methods for SRM:
1. Space-based Geoengineering: This involves the placement of reflectors in space to divert sunlight.
2. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI): This is the most studied method and involves the injection of aerosols into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight.
3. Albedo Modification: This involves changing the reflectivity of large surfaces, like roofs or pavements, to reflect more sunlight.
4. Marine Cloud Brightening: This involves spraying sea water into the atmosphere to create or enhance clouds which can reflect sunlight.
5. Ocean Albedo Modification: This involves increasing the reflectivity of the ocean surface1.
SRM could have a rapid cooling effect on atmospheric temperature, but if the intervention were to suddenly stop for any reason, the cooling would soon stop as well2. Therefore, SRM is not a substitute for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but would act as a temporary measure to limit warming while emissions of greenhouse gases are reduced and carbon dioxide is removed2.
However, it's important to note that SRM is still a subject of ongoing research and debate due to potential risks and challenges, including ethical considerations, governance issues, and possible unforeseen consequences2.
Bron(en)
1. Solar Radiation Management-Reflecting Sunlight to Cool the Climate (
Solar Radiation Management-Reflecting Sunlight to Cool the Climate
Solar Radiation Management are geoengineering strategies that mitigate Climate Change by reducing the absorption of solar radiation and cooling the planet.
https://geoengineering.global/solar-radiation-management/
2. Solar geoengineering - Wikipedia
Solar geoengineering - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_geoengineering
3. Zonnestralingsbeheer - Wikipedia
Zonnestralingsbeheer - Wikipedia
https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zonnestralingsbeheer
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) has the potential to offset some human-induced warming by reflecting solar energy back into space before that energy becomes the longwave infrared radiation that can be captured by greenhouse gases1.
Climate models have consistently shown that SRM, when used in moderation and combined with emissions cuts, has the potential to reduce climate changes around the globe4. For example, it could reduce climate impacts such as extreme temperatures, changes in water availability, and intensity of tropical storms4.
Modelling studies have shown that SRM may be able to reduce many of the projected risks of climate change in most parts of the world. This includes the risks of rising temperatures, disruption to rainfall, rising sea levels, and increased storm intensity3.
However, it's important to note that SRM does not impact the root cause of global warming, namely greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions2. Its utility is to lower temperatures. However, if implemented and then suddenly terminated, the result of SRM could be fast temperature increases, bringing on related weather effects2.
Moreover, the cooling caused by SRM would increase the global land and ocean CO2 sinks, but this would not stop CO2 from increasing in the atmosphere or affect the resulting ocean acidification under continued anthropogenic emissions5.
Therefore, while SRM has the potential to be effective in reducing global warming, it is not a standalone solution and must be used in conjunction with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's also crucial to consider the potential risks and challenges, including ethical considerations, governance issues, and possible unforeseen consequences2.
Bron(en)
1. Solar Radiation Management | Wilson Center
Solar Radiation Management
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/solar-radiation-management
2. Geoengineering | Harvard's Solar Geoengineering Research Program
Geoengineering
Albedo Modification Research
https://geoengineering.environment.harvard.edu/geoengineering
3. Blocking out the sun to reduce global warming - The Conversation
Blocking out the sun to reduce global warming - an idea still in the making
Solar radiation management might be able to reduce some of the risks of global warming while countries get their emissions under control.
https://theconversation.com/blocking-out-the-sun-to-reduce-global-warming-an-idea-still-in-the-making-78506
4. Solar radiation management – risks from reversing climate change
Solar radiation management – risks from reversing climate change | Swiss Re
Reflecting the sun's energy to reverse climate change is gaining more attention, but solar radiation management comes with many risks.
https://www.swissre.com/institute/research/sonar/sonar2023/solar-radiation-risks-climate-change.html
5. Solar geoengenering Wikipedia
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) has several potential benefits:
1. Rapid Cooling: SRM methods could have a rapid cooling effect on atmospheric temperature2.
2. Cost-Effective: SRM is frequently discussed as a policy option because it is much faster and (in the short run) cheaper than any form of climate change mitigation2.
3. Reduction of Climate Impacts: Climate models have consistently shown that SRM, when used in moderation and combined with emissions cuts, has the potential to reduce climate changes around the globe3. For example, it could reduce climate impacts such as extreme temperatures, changes in water availability, and intensity of tropical storms3.
4. Combat Adverse Effects of Climate Change: Studies have shown that SRM can combat many of the adverse effects of climate change, such as the increase in extreme weather, the decrease in soil moisture, slowdown of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, Arctic sea ice decline and the melting of mountain glaciers2.
However, it's important to note that while SRM has potential benefits, it also comes with risks and challenges. It's not a standalone solution and must be used in conjunction with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions2.
Bron(en)
1. Solar geoengineering - Wikipedia
2. Geoengineering | Harvard's Solar Geoengineering Research Program
3. Solar Radiation Management | Wilson Center
4. Solar radiation management – risks from reversing climate change
Solar radiation management – risks from reversing climate change | Swiss Re
Reflecting the sun's energy to reverse climate change is gaining more attention, but solar radiation management comes with many risks.
https://www.swissre.com/institute/research/sonar/sonar2023/solar-radiation-risks-climate-change.html
5. What Is Solar Radiation Management? How Geoengineering Could Fight ...
Could Reflecting the Sun Away From Earth Reduce Global Warming? What to Know About Solar Radiation Management
The UN had experts conduct more research on a somewhat controversial method of reducing global heating, called solar radiation management, solar radiation modification or solar geoengineering.
https://www.greenmatters.com/clean-energy/solar-radiation-management
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) comes with several potential risks:
1. Unintended Climatic Consequences: SRM could lead to significant changes to the hydrological cycle that might not be predicted by the models used to plan them4. These effects may be cumulative or chaotic4.
2. Ozone Depletion: Techniques involving sulfur delivery into the stratosphere, such as Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), pose a risk of ozone depletion4.
3. Increased Weather Disruptions: Depending on how it's used, SRM could result in increased weather disruptions, such as changes to precipitation3.
4. Potential Disruption of Ecosystem Services: SRM could change many climate variables other than temperature that are important for ecological systems1.
5. Regional Variations: The effects of SRM are likely to vary by region. The process could make some areas colder than they currently are, depressing agricultural production5.
6. Sudden Termination Risks: If SRM is implemented and then suddenly terminated, the result could be fast temperature increases, bringing on related weather effects1.
7. Ethical and Governance Challenges: SRM raises big questions about who decides to implement it, who would have control of operation and intended outcomes, and how to compensate those experiencing negative effects12.
It's important to note that these risks are part of the reason why SRM is still a subject of ongoing research and debate. Any implementation of SRM would need to be carefully managed and would require robust governance frameworks2.
Bron(en)
1. Solar Radiation Management (SRM) - Purpose, Methods and Impact - BYJU'S
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) - Purpose, Methods and Impact
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is a process through which the reflectivity (albedo) of the Earth. Read the full article to know more about Solar Radiation Management. Download SRM Notes PDF. For UPSC 2021, follow BYJU'S
https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/solar-radiation-management/
2. Blocking out the sun to reduce global warming - The Conversation
3. Solar radiation management – risks from reversing climate change
4. The Dept. of Solar Radiation Management - NRDC
The Dept. of Solar Radiation Management
Is attempting to block the sun’s heat a good idea—or a reflection on our pathetic efforts to cut carbon emissions?
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/dept-solar-radiation-management
5. Solar Radiation Management | Wilson Center
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