Global Research Ambition
Cornell’s sunlight reflection methods (SRM) research is at the forefront of global efforts to address climate change, uniting leading experts and institutions in a shared ambition to explore innovative solutions for our planet’s future.
Our Global Vision
Future decisions about SRM must be made on a global scale, which means current research must be conducted globally as well. We envision a future where decisions about SRM and other techniques are made with worldwide consensus and a deep commitment to climate justice. At Cornell, our focus goes beyond research output. We prioritize international collaboration, making critical simulation data available and interpretable, providing summary reports, and hosting visitors.
Through strong partnerships with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, World Climate Research Programme, The Degrees Initiative, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research — as well as other top institutions such as Scripps College, Colorado State University, Rutgers University, and University of Exeter — we are addressing the sociopolitical impacts of SRM and advocating for fair, inclusive policies and governance.
Pioneering Research Initiatives
Our mission-driven approach aims to inform societal decisions within the critical time frame dictated by the accelerating pace of climate change. Currently, Cornell’s research in SRM focuses on system-level questions and modeling to understand effects and uncertainties; this will also help clarify the value in possible future experiments. These include design choices, such as the latitude, the season of injection, and the aerosol material used, as well as societal dimensions and systematic assessments of risk and uncertainty.
Advancing our understanding of this new climate intervention strategy requires significant resources. Donations to Cornell’s SRM research have an international impact, with all funding directly impacting the increase of global knowledge as we investigate new solutions to protect the health of our planet.