The controversial strategy comes with significant risks, but that didn't stop the White House from moving forward with a research plan for "solar and other rapid climate interventions."2

The congressionally mandated research plan is focused on atmospheric-based approaches, such as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) and marine cloud brightening (MCB), as opposed to space-based approaches, which include mirrors in space, or white roofs and other local-scale measures to increase surface reflectance.3

The research "would help to prepare the United States for possible deployment of SRM by other public and private actors," the report notes,4 suggesting the government is seriously considering use of this extremely risky technology -- if it hasn't already decided to move forward.

What Is Stratospheric Aerosol Injection?

SAI involves injecting reflective aerosol particles into the stratosphere, where they reflect sunlight away from the Earth.5 Volcanic eruptions are natural versions of SAI, but technological constraints surround man-made SAI, as "dispersing aerosols in sufficiently high altitudes is challenging," according to a Climate Analytics report.6 The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) explained:7

"In effect, SAI simulates what happens during large volcanic eruptions, when volcanoes emit small particles into the upper atmosphere (called the stratosphere). These particles reflect sunlight and lead to cooling for as long as they remain in the stratosphere, which may be up to a few years after injection.