Ethical Considerations of Sunlight Reflection Methods
The safety and ethics of interfering with the Earth’s climate system are hot topics of discussion among experts and the public. Though sunlight reflection methods (SRM) aim to mimic a naturally occurring phenomena — the planet-cooling effects of volcanic eruptions that inject aerosols into the atmosphere — some environmental groups express concerns about unintended consequences or potentially unequal effects, such as regional climate disruptions.
Other important concerns about the use of SRM include how some people may experience a lessened sense of urgency regarding the need to reduce and offset carbon emissions and that — because the deployment of SRM would ideally only occur with some degree of international cooperation — wealthier nations might dominate decision-making processes, leaving less powerful nations, typically the most climate-vulnerable, without a say in decisions.
These questions and concerns underscore the need for thorough, multidisciplinary research to better understand the potential impacts and challenges of SRM in order to provide the tools necessary to make informed decisions about it in the future. While mitigating greenhouse gases remains essential for climate response, delays in meeting emission targets outlined by the Paris Agreement create an urgent need to consider and evaluate climate intervention strategies as an interim measure to potentially decrease risks.
The Role of Universities
Higher education institutions play a vital role in exploring the costs and benefits of potential climate strategies, especially controversial ones like SRM. By uniting experts across disciplines and fostering innovation, universities are essential contributors to the rigorous scientific foundation needed for responsible decision-making.
With our strong tradition of faculty-led research, Cornell is uniquely positioned to help lead this critical work and ensure that any considerations of SRM are informed by robust scientific evidence and ethical deliberation. What’s more, the greatest risk by far would be to neglect researching all of the solutions and strategies available to help reduce the impacts of climate change.