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Journal of Science Policy & Governance | Volume 18, Issue 02 | June 21, 2021

Policy Memo: An Approach to Scientific and Legislative Governance of Solar Radiation Modification Research in the United States

Neva Luthria (1), Steven L. Farrell (2), Ingrid Joylyn Paredes (2)
  1. New York University, Gallatin School of Individualized Study, New York, NY
  2. New York University, Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY

Corresponding author: nevaluthria@nyu.edu
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https://doi.org/10.38126/JSPG180207
Keywords: climate change; geoengineering; solar radiation management; IPCC; UN; COP26
Executive Summary: The climate crisis requires immediate, rapid, and responsible action across all sectors. Without implementation of aggressive mitigation strategies, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that we will fail to remain below the catastrophic global warming threshold of 1.5°C. Climate engineering technologies, such as carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation modification (SRM), have been proposed as mitigation strategies, but have not been deployed at scale. In addition to the scaling problems, SRM technologies, particularly stratospheric aerosol injection, have faced criticism over ethical implications of their implementation. The United Nations (UN) efforts to introduce international governance over SRM have been blocked by several countries, including the United States (US). Meanwhile, domestic researchers in the US have independently pursued small-scale experiments. The effects of these experiments remain uncertain, yet, if scaled, extend to non-consenting countries, including those already more susceptible to the climate crisis. We recommend that the US (1) stop blocking the UN from pursuing research into the impacts of SRM to allow for equitable governance options to be explored and (2) establish a national advisory committee on solar geoengineering.

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Neva Luthria is a senior at New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. Her academic concentration studies the intersection of physics, chemistry, and strategy. At the Hybrid Nanomaterials Laboratory within NYU's Tandon School of Engineering, she conducts research on nanoparticle thin films for the electrocatalysis of carbon dioxide to alcohol fuels.
 
Steven L. Farrell received his B.S and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Chemistry at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering as a member of the Hybrid Nanomaterials Laboratory. He studies two-dimensional nanostructures and materials for sustainable catalysis applications and previously was a coordinator of NYU’s Science Policy and Diplomacy course. Additionally, he has coordinated the #StreamForScience digital event collaboration with March for Science NYC.
 
Ingrid Joylyn Paredes is a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering at the New York University Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, NY as a member of the Hybrid Nanomaterials Laboratory. The focus of her thesis research is the development of novel nanomaterial systems for clean energy technologies. She currently serves as co-chair of March for Science NYC.
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