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Keep calm
Context:
The enormity of climate change is no excuse to resort to risky mitigation strategies.
Concerns of Solar Radiation Management (SRM)
- Driest August in a Century: India experienced an unusually dry August this year, which highlights the growing concerns about unpredictable weather patterns and their economic impact. While scientists have not yet linked this anomaly to climate change, it underscores the need for climate mitigation.
- Solar Radiation Management (SRM): SRM is a controversial proposal to block some of the incoming solar radiation to cool the Earth's surface. However, it poses significant dangers as it interferes with natural mechanisms and can have planet-wide consequences, affecting weather systems and agriculture in unforeseen ways.
- Lack of Accountability: One of the main concerns with SRM is the lack of mechanisms to hold a country engaged in geo-engineering accountable for the consequences beyond its borders. There is also limited research on how different weather systems affect each other and their sensitivity to interventions like SRM.
Climate Overshoot Commission's Report
- The Climate Overshoot Commission: A report from the Climate Overshoot Commission, composed of geo-engineering researchers, was released recently. The commission aims to explore ways to accelerate emission reductions and assesses the feasibility of SRM-like technologies.
- Calls for More Research: The report highlights the need for extensive research to address scientific and governance gaps before considering the implementation of SRM technologies. It acknowledges that the scientific community does not yet fully understand the implications of SRM and the potential consequences.
- Challenges of SRM: While the report suggests retaining SRM as a potential climate mitigation solution, it raises concerns about diverting resources, focus, and political will away from more effective strategies like emission reduction. SRM, if pursued, could dilute efforts to combat climate change effectively.
Need for Caution and Climate Justice
- Urgency of Climate Change: There is an urgency of addressing climate change against pursuing high-risk solutions like SRM when more viable alternatives, such as carbon capture, exist.
- Questionable Interests: The commission's assertion that it acts in the interests of developing countries is questioned, as corporate and political actors often prioritize economic growth over climate justice
- Balancing Risk and Responsibility: Climate change is a pressing issue, but also emphasizes the need to balance the urgency of action with responsible decision-making.
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