Solar Geoengineering Research in the United States: Key Critical Questions

The Climate Social Science Network (CSSN) identifies key risks associated with advancing solar geoengineering research in the U.S., focusing on the potential for 'mitigation deterrence' where such research might reduce the urgency of decarbonization. The document questions the lack of social justice considerations, the influence of fossil fuel interests, and the absence of international governance frameworks. It also highlights the risks of overreliance on climate models and the potential for the militarization of geoengineering technologies.

• There is a significant risk of 'mitigation deterrence,' where the promise of solar geoengineering research may lead to a reduction in priority for ending fossil fuel use and transitioning to renewables. The document notes that integrated assessment modeling may suggest postponing expensive mitigation in favor of unproven, seemingly cheaper future technologies.
• The current research landscape is criticized for being dominated by a narrow technocratic perspective, primarily consisting of white men from the global north, which may exacerbate existing power imbalances and marginalize frontline communities and the global south.
• The document warns against overconfidence in earth system modeling and small-scale experiments, arguing that some climate uncertainties are irreducible and that models are often misinterpreted as meaningful forecasts, which could lead to premature technology adoption.
• There are concerns regarding the lack of international agreement and the potential for unilateral action by the U.S., noting that the U.S. previously opposed a UN Environment Assembly resolution calling for an assessment of geoengineering governance.
• The briefing highlights the risk of the 'militarization and securitization' of geoengineering, calling for explicit measures to prohibit the involvement of U.S. intelligence and military agencies in research or deployment to maintain international trust.

APA

Kashwan, P., McLaren, D., Stephens, J., & Surprise, K. (2021). Solar Geoengineering Research in the United States: Key Critical Questions. Climate Social Science Network. https://cssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CSSN-Briefing_-NAS-Solar-Geoengineering_Final.pdf

Chicago

Kashwan, Prakash, Duncan McLaren, Jennie Stephens, and Kevin Surprise. Solar Geoengineering Research in the United States: Key Critical Questions. Climate Social Science Network, 2021. https://cssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CSSN-Briefing_-NAS-Solar-Geoengineering_Final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kashwan |first1=Prakash |last2=McLaren |first2=Duncan |last3=Stephens |first3=Jennie |last4=Surprise |first4=Kevin |title=Solar Geoengineering Research in the United States: Key Critical Questions |publisher=Climate Social Science Network |date=2021 |url=https://cssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CSSN-Briefing_-NAS-Solar-Geoengineering_Final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kashwan2021solar, author = {Kashwan, Prakash and McLaren, Duncan and Stephens, Jennie and Surprise, Kevin}, title = {{Solar Geoengineering Research in the United States: Key Critical Questions}}, institution = {Climate Social Science Network}, year = {2021}, url = {https://cssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CSSN-Briefing_-NAS-Solar-Geoengineering_Final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }