Solar radiation management

Definition

Solar radiation management (SRM) refers to a set of geoengineering techniques aimed at reflecting a small percentage of sunlight back into space to counteract global warming. By manipulating the Earth's energy balance, these methods are designed to reduce the impacts of climate change and can potentially provide a temporary solution while longer-term mitigation efforts are developed. SRM strategies include methods like injecting aerosols into the stratosphere or brightening clouds to increase their reflectivity.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Solar radiation management is considered a controversial approach because it doesn't address the root causes of climate change, such as greenhouse gas emissions.
2. SRM techniques could lead to uneven effects on global weather patterns, potentially disrupting ecosystems and causing unintended consequences.
3. One proposed method of SRM involves the injection of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere, which forms reflective sulfate aerosols that can cool the planet.
4. Research into SRM is still in its early stages, and there are ethical and governance challenges associated with its implementation.
5. SRM could theoretically provide a quick fix for temperature control, but it would not solve problems like ocean acidification or loss of biodiversity.

Review Questions

• How do solar radiation management techniques aim to mitigate the effects of climate change?
  • Solar radiation management techniques aim to mitigate climate change by reflecting a portion of solar energy back into space, thus reducing global temperatures. By altering the Earth’s energy balance, methods such as aerosol injection or cloud brightening seek to counteract some of the warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions. However, while SRM could potentially lower temperatures quickly, it does not address underlying issues like rising CO2 levels or ecosystem disruptions.
• Discuss the potential risks and ethical considerations associated with implementing solar radiation management strategies.
  • Implementing solar radiation management strategies carries several risks, including possible disruptions to weather patterns and negative impacts on agriculture and ecosystems. There are ethical concerns regarding who controls these technologies and the implications for global governance, as well as fears of moral hazard where reliance on SRM might deter efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The unequal effects of SRM across different regions further complicate its use.
• Evaluate the feasibility of solar radiation management as a long-term solution for climate change compared to other mitigation strategies.
  • While solar radiation management offers a rapid approach to cooling the planet, it is not feasible as a long-term solution due to its temporary nature and potential side effects. Unlike carbon dioxide removal strategies that address the root causes of climate change by actively reducing greenhouse gas levels, SRM merely masks symptoms without resolving fundamental issues. For a sustainable future, comprehensive climate policies that include both emission reductions and careful consideration of geoengineering options must be developed.

Related terms

Geoengineering: Deliberate intervention in the Earth’s natural systems to counteract climate change, which includes both solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal strategies.

Aerosols: Tiny particles or droplets suspended in the atmosphere that can reflect sunlight and influence climate patterns, often utilized in SRM approaches.

Carbon dioxide removal: Strategies aimed at reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, which is distinct from SRM as it focuses on removing greenhouse gases rather than reflecting sunlight.