The UK government's Aria agency will allocate £50 million to fund experiments exploring solar radiation management (SRM) techniques to mitigate climate change. These experiments, set to begin within weeks, will involve small-scale outdoor trials.
The research focuses on two main approaches:
These methods draw inspiration from observations of brighter clouds above shipping routes and volcanic eruptions, which demonstrated a cooling effect.
While scientists highlight the urgency of additional climate action due to insufficient emissions reduction, geoengineering remains controversial due to potential unforeseen consequences. The planned research emphasizes safety and reversibility, with a commitment to responsible research practices.
Beyond outdoor experiments, funding will also support modeling studies, indoor tests, climate monitoring, and public opinion gauging to address broader concerns surrounding geoengineering techniques.
If successful, experts predict scaling up these technologies within 10 years.