C2GDiscuss: Governing Solar Radiation Modification Research: Insights from Marine Cloud Brightening and the Great Barrier Reef

In response to climate change risks, scientists are considering the viability of developing and deploying marine cloud brightening (MCB), which seeks to whiten clouds over the ocean to reflect solar radiation back into space in order to achieve cooling. MCB is still largely theoretical, but if ever deployed at scale, could create large and potentially long-term risks and governance challenges.

The recent first outdoor MCB experiment conducted by Australian scientists went largely unnoticed by the general public and has generated some interesting but limited debate. In this C2GDiscuss, the panelists explore: 

• How to situate MCB in the global challenges of response to climate risks context? 
• What is the latest research and debate about MCB as well as the governance implications of potential deployment? 
• What could we learn from the recent MCB outdoor experiment in Australia to move forward the governance of solar radiation modification research?

The C2GDiscuss features: 

• Kerryn Brent, lecturer at the University of Adelaide and member of the Australian Forum for Climate Intervention Governance;
• Silvia Ribeiro, Latin America Director, ETC Group;
• Phillip Williamson, Honorary Reader, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
• Paul Rouse, Science Advisor, C2G (Moderator)

For more, please go to C2G's website.