Human perceptions are crucial for the future of solar geoengineering and other methods aimed at cooling our planet.
A recent investigation from the University of Michigan encourages the scholarly community to expand their focus beyond just the scientific elements of these methods, urging them to include human perceptions and trust in their evaluations. This approach would enable researchers to predict the potential consequences of such interventions on the climate more effectively and enhance their understanding of how these strategies are developed, deployed, maintained, and governed.
“As we continue to heat the planet and confront increasingly serious consequences, researchers are beginning to explore strategies that may have previously seemed unrealistic,” stated Kaitlin Raimi, associate professor at the Ford School of Public Policy. “However, the majority of current research on solar geoengineering has been centered on the physical impacts: How much cooling could it provide? What would the ramifications be regarding weather patterns? We assert that recognizing the human aspect of solar geoengineering is equally crucial.”
Solar radiation modification—methods intended to cool the Earth by reflecting a fraction of the sun’s energy back into space—has elicited diverse reactions from both experts and the general public.
At this point, the development and implementation of SRM remain largely theoretical, with only small-scale laboratory trials occurring and no widespread application. The lack of federal regulations, alongside several state-level prohibitions, highlights the essential role that public perception and political choices will play in the future of this technology.
Misinformation and conspiracy theories have also fueled doubts, reflecting an overarching skepticism toward such initiatives.
“If policymakers and the public harbor fears about this technology, they will obstruct research, restricting a potentially vital resource in our arsenal against climate change. If they (incorrectly) view it as a quick fix that resolves climate change, they may diminish support for the emission reductions necessary to complement any solar geoengineering initiative,” Raimi commented. “To accommodate the full array of potential outcomes regarding solar geoengineering, it is essential to include the public in our evaluations.”
Raimi and her team propose a novel framework to connect human behavioral dynamics with SRM’s biophysical effects. This model explores how factors such as public trust, moral hazard concerns, and perceived climate risks could affect SRM advancement and governance. Grasping these relationships is imperative for forecasting future climate change scenarios that realistically blend both technological advancements and societal reactions.
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