A groundbreaking public dialogue is underway across the UK, seeking to gauge citizens' views on the contentious climate intervention technology of solar radiation modification (SRM). The programme, organised by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through its Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), aims to gather a broad spectrum of public opinion on SRM's potential benefits, risks, ethical considerations, and governance challenges.
Participants are engaging in discussions about methods such as stratospheric aerosol injection, which involves releasing reflective particles into the upper atmosphere. The findings from this dialogue will play a crucial role in shaping the UK government's future approach to SRM, informing policy decisions, guiding research priorities, and influencing funding allocations for studies in this complex field.
The programme comes at a time of escalating global concern over climate change, with many scientists exploring options beyond emission reductions. While SRM is seen by some as a potential emergency measure, it also raises significant ethical and geopolitical questions, including who would control such technologies and their potential unintended consequences on weather patterns and ecosystems globally.
Previous research and international discussions have highlighted the deeply divided opinions surrounding SRM, with concerns often centring on moral hazard – the idea that focusing on geoengineering might detract from efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. By engaging the public directly, the UK aims to build a more informed and socially robust framework for considering such research.