“EU Urged to Prevent Deployment of Controversial Climate Cooling Technologies”
The European Union’s Scientific Advice Mechanism has issued recommendations urging Brussels to proactively negotiate for a global regime governing Solar Radiation Management (SRM) technologies. These technologies are designed to temporarily alleviate extreme heat by blocking some of the sun’s warming impacts, such as pumping aerosols into the high atmosphere or sending mirrors into orbit to reflect sunlight away from the Earth.
However, the EU’s scientific advisors caution that SRM technologies do not address the root cause of climate change, namely greenhouse gas emissions, and could have substantial negative ecological and economic effects. The deployment of SRM is likely to change rainfall patterns, impact ecosystems, decrease food production security, and reduce the potential of solar energy.
The EU does not officially support SRM as a solution, considering it an unacceptable risk for humans and the environment. The advisors recommend prioritizing reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts as the main solutions to global warming. They suggest implementing an EU-wide moratorium on SRM deployment due to the uncertainties and risks associated with the technology.
Despite the potential dangers of large-scale SRM deployment, there is currently no international framework governing these activities. The EU advisors propose negotiating a global governance system and advocating for the non-deployment of SRM in the foreseeable future. They suggest allowing limited outdoor research under strict conditions and risk considerations, with clear ethical requirements and guidelines for smaller projects.
The European Commission has expressed support for discussions on a global governance framework for SRM research. However, recent attempts to regulate SRM activities internationally have failed. Some experts argue that allowing outdoor testing of SRM technologies could normalize the technology for future deployment, while others believe that publicly-funded research is necessary to inform decision-making.
Critics caution against allowing outdoor research, emphasizing the need for a global norm shift towards non-use of SRM. They argue that small-scale research cannot fully predict the consequences of using SRM on a planetary scale for sustained periods. The EU is urged to take the lead in initiating this norm shift and refraining from considering SRM as a viable option due to its high risks.
In conclusion, the EU faces a complex decision regarding the governance of SRM technologies, balancing the potential benefits of temporary heat relief with the significant uncertainties and risks associated with their deployment. The recommendations from the EU’s scientific advisors highlight the need for caution and thorough consideration before moving forward with any SRM activities.