Why India should invest in solar radiation modification research

We need knowledge to shape a climate debate that might shift to the idea of blocking the sun's rays

- HISHAM MUNDOL

India is on the front-line of climate change. Unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, stressed groundwater tables and inconsistent crop yields are everyday realities for millions of us.

The world is rightly accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, driving energy efficiency, investing in adaptation and exploring carbon removal. But even with all this, the graph of global emissions is not bending downwards anywhere near fast enough for us to avert increasingly severe impacts.

This is why a set of ideas under the banner of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) might hold appeal. SRM refers to technologies that have the ability to cool the planet by reflecting a fraction of sunlight back into space. The closest analogy is the temporary cooling effect often observed after major volcanic eruptions. This is caused by volcanic eruptions pumping aerosols in the air. One possible method of using SRM as a climate action tool is to inject aerosols into the stratosphere.

To be clear, SRM is neither a substitute for cutting emissions nor a cure for climate change. It does not stop ocean acidification or address the underlying drivers of warming. But it can act as a temporary measure to reduce extreme heat and buy time while mitigation and adaptation catch up. As with all emerging technologies, it is not without risk. The scientific jury is out on any unintended effects on rainfall or weather ecosystems, especially in places like India where the livelihoods of tens of millions are linked to monsoon rains.