This road map could help us decide whether to deploy solar geoengineering

The San Francisco-based nonprofit Reflective has released a comprehensive research road map aimed at addressing the scientific and engineering uncertainties surrounding stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). This proposed plan outlines a decade-long, $370 million effort to determine the feasibility and risks of solar geoengineering, which involves releasing reflective particles into the stratosphere to mimic volcanic cooling. While proponents argue that such research is essential for informed decision-making, the initiative faces significant controversy. Critics, including many academics, advocate for a ban on outdoor experiments, citing concerns over global governance, equity, and the potential for irreversible environmental consequences. As Reflective continues to fund research and develop simulation tools, the debate persists over whether the technical pursuit of planet-altering technology can ever be separated from the complex political and ethical questions regarding who controls the climate and who bears the risks.