Aarti Gupta on the risks of technofixing the climate with solar radiation modification

Aarti Gupta, professor in Global Environmental Governance, takes a critical look at solar radiation modification (SRM). Through her arguments against using SRM, she makes us consider how we view technological solutions in the political choices around climate change action. Gupta will hold a session on this subject at the Science Summit during the United Nations General Assembly.

There is growing interest within both academic and climate policy circles in solar geoengineering, also called solar radiation modification. The term refers to a set of speculative technologies that seek to artificially cool the planet by intentionally intervening in the Earth’s climate systems to reflect some incoming sunlight back out into space.

This controversial topic was most recently the subject of inter-governmental discussions during the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in February 2024, where countries expressed different views on this matter. While some Global South countries, led by the African Group, called for a global governance mechanism to ensure the ‘non-use’ of solar geoengineering, other countries called for further assessment and research. No compromise was reached on this contested issue.

The upcoming session “Solar Geoengineering: Perspectives on Risks, Governance, and Political Challenges,” convened by Professor Aarti Gupta, promises to be a significant event at the Science Summit during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79). Scheduled for September 23rd, from 2:00 to 6:00 pm EDT, held in New York and online, this session convenes government representatives, civil society activists, and scientists to critically assess how contemplating solar geoengineering as a future climate policy option could adversely affect the implementation and achievement of many interconnected Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).