EU wants to track potential rogue efforts to block out the sun
Quick Look
The European Union has launched a €35 million tender via Horizon Europe to fund research on detecting rogue solar radiation modification efforts, as UN reports warn global temperatures may exceed 1.5°C threshold within years and reach 2.6°C without policy changes, amid increasing climate-related disasters.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The UN has warned that global temperatures are likely to exceed the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels within the next few years and could reach 2.6°C without policy changes, while climate change effects like wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, and floods are increasing in frequency.
The European Union has launched a €35 million (US$39.4 million) tender to fund research and coordination on, among other things, detecting rogue efforts to alter the Earth’s atmosphere by blocking out the sun.
The EU’s Horizon Europe arm, which funds research and innovation, launched the call for projects on Tuesday as part of an early stage effort to coordinate action on so-called Solar Radiation Modification, a nascent and controversial technology that could be used to cool the planet should temperatures rise to critical tipping points.
In a report last month, the UN warned that global temperatures are set to cross the key 1.5 degrees Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) threshold above pre-industrial levels within the next few years, and could climb as high as 2.6 degrees without changes to current policies.
The effects of climate change are already being felt with wildfires, droughts, hurricanes and severe floods happening increasingly frequently.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The EU will fund multiple research projects under this tender to develop detection mechanisms for unauthorized solar radiation modification activities.
Very likely · Within months
International debate over the governance and ethics of solar radiation modification will intensify in the coming years as climate thresholds are approached.
Likely · Within years
Open Questions
- What specific criteria will be used to detect rogue solar radiation modification efforts?
- Which organizations or consortia are expected to apply for the Horizon Europe funding?
- How will the EU coordinate with international bodies on governance of solar radiation modification research?
- What safeguards are proposed to prevent misuse of solar radiation modification technologies?
