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Media articles related to climate interventions.

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Polar geoengineering: risks and realities

09 September 2025, Various, www.frontiersin.org

Earth’s coldest regions help regulate the global climate, but climate change-driven warming is destabilizing polar ice at alarming rates. Could large-scale geoengineering proposals protect against ice-sheet loss and slow down sea-level rise? Siegert et al. critically assess five proposed technologies for effectiveness, feasibility, consequences, cost, and governance challenges, concluding that none are currently viable and several pose serious ecological or equity risks. The technologies assessed are stratospheric aerosol injection, sea curtains/sea walls, sea ice management, slowing ice sheet flow through basal water removal, and ocean fertilization. The lead article, and complementary publications in this hub, analyze the scientific and policy dimensions of polar geoengineering research, with perspectives ranging from caution to advocacy, and emphasize the continued urgency of rapid decarbonization.

Woods Hole Tests Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in Gulf of Maine for CO2 Capture

12 August 2025, Victoria Mossi , www.webpronews.com

Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will test ocean alkalinity enhancement by adding 20 tons of sodium hydroxide to the Gulf of Maine, aiming to boost CO2 absorption and combat climate change. While promising for carbon sequestration, it raises ecological and ethical concerns. Success could advance geoengineering, but rigorous monitoring is essential. Collaborations with institutions like those involved in the Arctic Ocean 2050 program could also inform how alkalinity enhancements interact with polar ecosystems facing rapid warming.

Oceans & marine -> Ocean Alkalinity enhancement

Workshop Report: The Governance of Arctic Climate Interventions

11 August 2025, Odessa Chitty, Justin Barnes, Elizabeth Hanlon, Jennifer Spence and Tessa Varvares, www.belfercenter.org

This report is based on insights from a two-day workshop hosted by the Belfer Center’s Arctic Initiative at the Harvard Kennedy School in late April 2025. The workshop brought together Indigenous, technical, academic, policy, and legal experts and practitioners to discuss the governance of research, testing, and potential deployment(s) of climate interventions in the Arctic. This workshop was convened to facilitate Arctic-specific discussions about the governance of climate interventions with the view that this is both important and timely. Its aim was to provide a space to move beyond polarizing positions, enable constructive discussions, and consider and further develop Arctic-specific research questions and issues. This report aims to capture what occurred at the workshop, but at most, it provides only a snapshot of the diversity of perspectives and voices related to this topic in the Arctic region.

Could bouncing the sun’s heat back into space help solve the climate crisis?

07 August 2025, Seán Duke, www.irishtimes.com

As global temperatures climb and extreme weather events become more frequent, scientists are exploring the use of solar geoengineering, a set of different measures all geared towards reflecting sunlight and cooling the Earth. “The world is making progress on emissions,” says solar geoengineering researcher Dr Pete Irvine of the University of Chicago, “but even if every country meets its current pledges, we are still tracking towards more than 2.5 degrees of warming by century’s end.” That level of warming could lead to severe impacts such as loss of biodiversity, health crises and unchecked polar melting. In addition to solar geoengineering, enhanced weathering and direct carbon capture are two other technologies actively being researched to help bring down the temperature.

Atmosphere / solar radiation

Researchers quietly planned a test to dim sunlight. They wanted to ‘avoid scaring’ the public.

27 July 2025, Corbin Hiar, www.politico.com

A team of researchers in California drew notoriety last year with an aborted experiment on a retired aircraft carrier that sought to test a machine for creating clouds.  But behind the scenes, they were planning a much larger and potentially riskier study of salt-water-spraying equipment that could eventually be used to dim the sun’s rays. The details outlined in funding requests, emails, texts and other records obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News raise new questions about a secretive initiative that oversaw last year’s brief solar geoengineering experiment on the San Francisco Bay. They also offer a rare glimpse into the vast scope of research aimed at finding ways to counter the Earth’s warming, work that has often occurred outside public view. Such research is drawing increased interest at a time when efforts to address the root cause of climate change — burning fossil fuels — are facing setbacks in the U.S. and Europe. But the notion of human tinkering with the weather and climate has drawn a political backlash and generated conspiracy theories, adding to the challenges of mounting even small-scale tests.

Atmosphere / solar radiation -> Arctic Marine Cloud Brightening

Opinion: Against The Arctic Island Laboratory

21 July 2025, Cody Alexander Skahan, grapevine.is

Iceland is frequently portrayed as a hotspot for carbon capture and storage partially because of the country’s “abundance” of cheap, renewable energy and geological makeup (formed millions of years ago) suitable for CO2 mineralisation to support direct air capture of carbon. Through his anthropological PhD research on the social and cultural dimensions of these projects, the author has observed that Iceland is also chosen for these projects because of its perceived social and political license for such projects. This is a problematic perception rooted in others treating Iceland as an isolated “island laboratory”.

Oceans & marine

Geoengineering: Assessing Risks in the Era of Planetary Security

17 July 2025, Olivia Lazard, Mandi Bissett, and James Dyke, carnegieendowment.org

Global warming now routinely surpasses the 1.5° Celsius threshold, prompting growing interest in geoengineering as a solution to reduce the effects of climate change. However, these approaches pose serious environmental, social, and geopolitical challenges. This paper is a primer for policymakers, particularly in Europe. It introduces a novel framework through which to view the risks associated with the individual and combined effects of various geoengineering approaches.

EPA releases online info on contrails and geoengineering amid conspiracy theories

11 July 2025, Kalé Carey, san.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched new online resources providing information on contrails and geoengineering amid concerns among some Americans. The website provides an overview of the basics of geoengineering, potential impacts of solar geoengineering, and answers to frequent questions. The move comes as conspiracy theories about cloud seeding are spreading in the wake of deadly Texas flooding.

Atmosphere / solar radiation

Global Surveys Challenge Assumptions on Public Opinion of SRM

10 July 2025, Chad Baum, Benjamin Sovacool and Livia Fritz, srm360.org

In discussions about SRM, a handful of assumptions about public opinion are often taken for granted. Some of these well-worn tropes have gone largely unexamined – until recently. Specifically, that SRM is inherently controversial; opposition is most prevalent in the Global South; and there is broad support for a global ban or moratorium on SRM. But new evidence strongly challenges some conventional assumptions about public attitudes. This research yielded important insights into public perceptions of SRM, summarized in this article. It is hoped that these insights will shape ongoing discussions and debates around SRM, and demonstrate the clear need for inclusive and deep engagement with the general public.

Atmosphere / solar radiation

Reduce, remove, reflect — the three Rs that could limit global warming

08 July 2025, Dante McGrath, theconversation.com

The three Rs of climate action: reduce, remove, and reflect. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is at centre stage, while greenhouse gas removal offers a supporting role by removing historical emissions and offsetting residual emissions from sectors lagging behind in the energy transition. However, the consequences of climate change are outpacing efforts to abate it. With each year, the likelihood of exceeding 1.5 and 2°C warming increases, posing major risks to society and Earth’s ecosystems. That’s why the third R — reflect — needs to be assessed.

Atmosphere / solar radiation

What an effort to save Arctic sea ice means to the people who depend on it

03 July 2025, Chloe Williams, thenarwhal.ca

Ice thickening is an example of a category of highly controversial interventions aimed at modifying the climate to combat warming. The Real Ice project in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, has drawn sharp criticism from scientists, who question the environmental impacts of the company’s experimental efforts and the feasibility of scaling up. But unlike many geoengineering projects, Real Ice’s experiments have garnered local support so far. For some residents, the goal of saving sea ice resonates because it supports the continuation of cultural and traditional practices. Others see applications for sea ice thickening besides fighting climate change. At a smaller scale, it could be useful for building roads, reinforcing snowmobile routes or supporting fish and wildlife populations. Five Cambridge Bay residents discuss what sea ice means to them, as well as how they see their home changing and, if they have heard about Real Ice, what they think about the effort.

Sea ice & icebergs

This B.C. company says it can change the weather to stop lightning and wildfires — but won’t say how

02 July 2025, Jesse Winter, thenarwhal.ca

The startup company Skyward Wildfire claims it can prevent wildfires by disrupting lightning before it strikes. Its website says it uses “government-approved methods” to neutralize the potential electric charge in storm clouds during periods of high fire weather risk, reducing lightning strikes — and the fires they can cause — in the first place. Experts say it’s possible — but the science is murky and few details are available.

Land-based measures -> Wildfire management

Mirrors in space and underwater curtains: can technology buy us enough time to save the Arctic ice caps?

25 June 2025, Oren Gruenbaum, www.theguardian.com

A conference in Cambridge this week will explore a raft of geoengineering ideas to cool the region down – and attempt to address the fears of those who argue the risks outweigh the benefits

Perspective: The Arctic is Running Out of Time

25 June 2025, Hugh Hunt, srm360.org

Ahead of the Arctic Repair Conference, Hugh Hunt discusses the state and significance of the Arctic climate and what can be done to address it. He argues that additional measures alongside emissions cuts, such as sunlight reflection methods (SRM), may be able to help, and that SRM research efforts must be expanded.

On solid ice: the plan to refreeze the Arctic

21 June 2025, Chloe Williams, thenarwhal.ca

As sea ice melts, Inuit cultural traditions are at risk of disappearing too. Could a geoengineering experiment save them?

Sea ice & icebergs

Climate Fixing: From Legitimate to Crazy Ideas

06 June 2025, Morten Risberg, www.aftenposteninnsikt.no

As the world struggles to meet agreed climate goals, geoengineering – deliberate and extensive intervention in the Earth’s climate system – is increasingly being touted as a real way to slow global warming. But neither regulations nor knowledge of the consequences are in place. And what happens to climate goals if we allow engineering to mask climate change?

Five geoengineering trials the UK is funding to combat global warming

03 June 2025, Robert Chris, Climate interventions

The UK government recently announced plans to fund five small-scale trials related to geoengineering. Of the 21 projects being funded by Aria, the UK government's Advanced Research and Invention Agency, five are likely to involve small-scale outdoor experiments. They account for about half the £57 million program. Three of the projects concern brightening clouds over the ocean, one explores a method of refreezing the Arctic and the fifth looks at a specific detail of injecting reflective aerosols into the stratosphere. The other projects concern how to govern these technologies and model and monitor their effects. They could also yield insights vital for securing the public and governmental support necessary if these technologies are ever to be deployed on a much larger scale.

How can 'geoengineering' help save us from the climate emergency?

02 June 2025, Gwynne Dyer, www.saltwire.com

The only way to hold the heat down in the short term is ‘geoengineering’: direct intervention in the atmosphere to reflect more sunlight back into space and thereby cool the planet, writes Gwynne Dyer

Three ways to cool Earth by pulling carbon from the sky

23 April 2025, Jeff Tollefson, www.nature.com

With the world set to blow past its temperature targets, efforts are growing to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The cheapest way to draw carbon out of the atmosphere is to grow more forests, but trees are not necessarily a permanent solution because they might be cut down or burn in fires, which are a growing threat. Many scientists and industrialists therefore focus on more permanent — and more expensive — solutions. Also available as a podcast: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01650-7

Industry

Can geoengineering plans save glaciers and slow sea level rise?

05 February 2025, Douglas Fox, www.sciencenews.org

Controversial plans to curb the melting of some West Antarctic glaciers pose big challenges.

Ice sheets and glaciers -> Ice sheet stabilization via seabed curtains

Results

"Polar geoengineering: risks and realities"

09 September 2025, Various, www.frontiersin.org

"Woods Hole Tests Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in Gulf of Maine for CO2 Capture"

12 August 2025, Victoria Mossi , www.webpronews.com

"Workshop Report: The Governance of Arctic Climate Interventions"

11 August 2025, Odessa Chitty, Justin Barnes, Elizabeth Hanlon, Jennifer Spence and Tessa Varvares, www.belfercenter.org

"Could bouncing the sun’s heat back into space help solve the climate crisis?"

07 August 2025, Seán Duke, www.irishtimes.com

"Researchers quietly planned a test to dim sunlight. They wanted to ‘avoid scaring’ the public."

27 July 2025, Corbin Hiar, www.politico.com

"Opinion: Against The Arctic Island Laboratory"

21 July 2025, Cody Alexander Skahan, grapevine.is

"Geoengineering: Assessing Risks in the Era of Planetary Security"

17 July 2025, Olivia Lazard, Mandi Bissett, and James Dyke, carnegieendowment.org

"EPA releases online info on contrails and geoengineering amid conspiracy theories"

11 July 2025, Kalé Carey, san.com

"Global Surveys Challenge Assumptions on Public Opinion of SRM"

10 July 2025, Chad Baum, Benjamin Sovacool and Livia Fritz, srm360.org

"Reduce, remove, reflect — the three Rs that could limit global warming"

08 July 2025, Dante McGrath, theconversation.com

"What an effort to save Arctic sea ice means to the people who depend on it"

03 July 2025, Chloe Williams, thenarwhal.ca

"This B.C. company says it can change the weather to stop lightning and wildfires — but won’t say how"

02 July 2025, Jesse Winter, thenarwhal.ca

"Mirrors in space and underwater curtains: can technology buy us enough time to save the Arctic ice caps?"

25 June 2025, Oren Gruenbaum, www.theguardian.com

"Perspective: The Arctic is Running Out of Time"

25 June 2025, Hugh Hunt, srm360.org

"On solid ice: the plan to refreeze the Arctic"

21 June 2025, Chloe Williams, thenarwhal.ca

"Climate Fixing: From Legitimate to Crazy Ideas"

06 June 2025, Morten Risberg, www.aftenposteninnsikt.no

"Five geoengineering trials the UK is funding to combat global warming"

03 June 2025, Robert Chris, Climate interventions

"How can 'geoengineering' help save us from the climate emergency?"

02 June 2025, Gwynne Dyer, www.saltwire.com

"Three ways to cool Earth by pulling carbon from the sky"

23 April 2025, Jeff Tollefson, www.nature.com

"Can geoengineering plans save glaciers and slow sea level rise?"

05 February 2025, Douglas Fox, www.sciencenews.org

Media

Filter

Polar geoengineering: risks and realities

Woods Hole Tests Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in Gulf of Maine for CO2 Capture

Workshop Report: The Governance of Arctic Climate Interventions

Could bouncing the sun’s heat back into space help solve the climate crisis?

Researchers quietly planned a test to dim sunlight. They wanted to ‘avoid scaring’ the public.

Opinion: Against The Arctic Island Laboratory

Geoengineering: Assessing Risks in the Era of Planetary Security

EPA releases online info on contrails and geoengineering amid conspiracy theories

Global Surveys Challenge Assumptions on Public Opinion of SRM

Reduce, remove, reflect — the three Rs that could limit global warming

What an effort to save Arctic sea ice means to the people who depend on it

This B.C. company says it can change the weather to stop lightning and wildfires — but won’t say how

Mirrors in space and underwater curtains: can technology buy us enough time to save the Arctic ice caps?

Perspective: The Arctic is Running Out of Time

On solid ice: the plan to refreeze the Arctic

Climate Fixing: From Legitimate to Crazy Ideas

Five geoengineering trials the UK is funding to combat global warming

How can 'geoengineering' help save us from the climate emergency?

Three ways to cool Earth by pulling carbon from the sky

Can geoengineering plans save glaciers and slow sea level rise?

Results

"Polar geoengineering: risks and realities"

"Woods Hole Tests Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement in Gulf of Maine for CO2 Capture"

"Workshop Report: The Governance of Arctic Climate Interventions"

"Could bouncing the sun’s heat back into space help solve the climate crisis?"

"Researchers quietly planned a test to dim sunlight. They wanted to ‘avoid scaring’ the public."

"Opinion: Against The Arctic Island Laboratory"

"Geoengineering: Assessing Risks in the Era of Planetary Security"

"EPA releases online info on contrails and geoengineering amid conspiracy theories"

"Global Surveys Challenge Assumptions on Public Opinion of SRM"

"Reduce, remove, reflect — the three Rs that could limit global warming"

"What an effort to save Arctic sea ice means to the people who depend on it"

"This B.C. company says it can change the weather to stop lightning and wildfires — but won’t say how"

"Mirrors in space and underwater curtains: can technology buy us enough time to save the Arctic ice caps?"

"Perspective: The Arctic is Running Out of Time"

"On solid ice: the plan to refreeze the Arctic"

"Climate Fixing: From Legitimate to Crazy Ideas"

"Five geoengineering trials the UK is funding to combat global warming"

"How can 'geoengineering' help save us from the climate emergency?"

"Three ways to cool Earth by pulling carbon from the sky"

"Can geoengineering plans save glaciers and slow sea level rise?"