From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas

The Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG), and the Degrees Initiative are organizing a three-part workshop series for policymakers in the Americas. The program focuses on solar radiation modification (SRM), specifically stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) and marine cloud brightening (MCB), to address the knowledge gap between the Global North and South. The series includes two virtual workshops and one in-person simulation to help participants develop national and regional positions for international forums like UNEA and the UNFCCC.

• Solar radiation modification (SRM) consists of large-scale interventions to cool the planet by increasing sunlight reflection, with stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) and marine cloud brightening (MCB) being the most prominent techniques.
• While climate models suggest moderate SRM use could lower climate risks, there is insufficient data on its impacts on social and physical systems, such as health, agriculture, and geopolitics, to enable informed decision-making.
• The landscape of SRM is evolving rapidly, characterized by a mix of government strategies, such as Canada's 2024-2029 Science Strategy, private sector activities by start-ups like Make Sunsets and Stardust, and legislative bans, such as a bill passed by the Tennessee state House and Senate.
• SRM deployment or rejection involves complex ethical and social challenges, including intergenerational justice, the risk of exacerbating existing inequalities, and the need for transparent governance frameworks to manage transboundary effects.
• There is a historical imbalance in SRM research, which has been dominated by the Global North, necessitating capacity building in the Global South to ensure vulnerable nations can engage equitably in governance discussions.
• The Degrees Initiative has supported 37 SRM research projects across 23 developing countries, marking the first such research in the Caribbean, South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (n.d.). From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas. http://www.archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Concept%20Note.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas. n.d. http://www.archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Concept%20Note.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas |url=http://www.archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Concept%20Note.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearchndfrom, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{From Science to Policy: Navigating the Complexities of Emerging Climate Techniques in the Americas}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, url = {http://www.archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/Concept%20Note.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }