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A proposal for the safety and controllability requirements that SRM systems should meet

E. Waxman, A. Spector, Y. Lederer, Y. Segev, T. Kislev, Y. Yedvab, D. Kushnir, R. Yahav

Abstract

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) may be the only way to limit global warming in the coming decades, leading to increased interest in the subject and to the expansion of related research & development (R&D) activity. Defining the safety and controllability requirements that any SRM system should meet is crucial for directing R&D activities and enabling governments to make informed decisions on the development and possible implementation of such systems. We present an initial proposal for this set of requirements, which also guides Stardust's R&D, as a basis for further discussion and consideration. While we focus on SRM systems based on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), the proposed principles may be applicable more broadly.

A proposal for the safety and controllability requirements that SRM systems should meet

Abstract

Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) may be the only way to limit global warming in the coming decades, leading to increased interest in the subject and to the expansion of related research & development (R&D) activity. Defining the safety and controllability requirements that any SRM system should meet is crucial for directing R&D activities and enabling governments to make informed decisions on the development and possible implementation of such systems. We present an initial proposal for this set of requirements, which also guides Stardust's R&D, as a basis for further discussion and consideration. While we focus on SRM systems based on Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), the proposed principles may be applicable more broadly.

Paper Structure

This paper contains 9 sections, 1 figure.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Why SRM implementation may be required in the near future
  3. Goals and scope of the current document
  4. Risk categories and guiding principles for addressing them
  5. Risks and safety requirements
  6. Safety for humans, the biota, and the environment
  7. Atmospheric chemistry and composition safety
  8. Climatic effects safety
  9. Outlook

Figures (1)

  • Figure 1: Cause-effect chain from aerosol injection to climate impacts, following fuglestvedt2003metrics. We propose setting the most demanding requirements on the capabilities of the SAI system for producing time- and space-dependent RF profiles: the system should enable the production of a flexible, predictable RF profile and real-time (month-scale) measurements and adaptation of the produced RF. Determining the desired RF profile is beyond the scope of this paper. It should be informed by a sustained community effort to define and prioritize adverse climatic impacts to be minimized, model the relationship between RF and climate impacts, taking into account the spatial and temporal dependence of the climate feedbacks, and draw on experience. Note that many aspects of the climate response depend not only on the RF profile alone, but on state-dependent feedback mechanisms that evolve with the changing climate system.