July's scorching temperatures have again brought attention to the urgent need for climate action. As Earth experiences one of the hottest periods in modern history, scientists warn that a multiyear period of exceptional warmth may lie ahead.
Human-induced emissions of heat-trapping gases and the cyclical weather pattern known as El Niño are the main drivers behind this worrying trend.
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In response to the alarming climate projections, the Biden administration has released a report, as required by Congress, outlining research options for a last-ditch effort to slow global warming. An intriguing aspect of the report is its cautious openness to studying the possibility of blocking sunlight from reaching the Earth's surface as a means to mitigate global warming — a concept known as solar radiation modification (SRM).
Although SRM shows potential as an effective climate response, it is not without controversy. Some scientists have expressed concerns about its unknown side effects, primarily related to altering the chemical composition of the atmosphere. Nonetheless, the White House acknowledges that further research into SRM's scientific and societal implications is crucial for informed decision-making about its potential risks and benefits as a component of climate policy.
The report points out that SRM could hold promise in significantly cooling the planet over a few years. It is important to note that the White House statement accompanying the report emphasizes that there are no plans to establish a comprehensive research program focused on solar radiation modification.
This cautious stance is understandable, given the polarized political climate surrounding climate change in the United States. The concept of SRM has elicited mixed reactions among experts, with some viewing it as a last resort if greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts fail, while others worry about the potential risks of disrupting weather patterns and food supplies.
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The report explores various ways to limit sunlight reaching Earth, each with its drawbacks. These methods range from increasing aerosols in the stratosphere to reflect sunlight away from the planet to altering cloud cover over the oceans or reducing high-flying cirrus clouds, which reflect solar radiation back to Earth.
The White House emphasizes the need for international cooperation in any potential research on solar radiation modification. In this regard, policymakers in the European Union have shown a willingness to engage in discussions about limiting heating from the sun and developing a governance framework for climate interventions.
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