Policy
Advancing equitable, science-based decision-making on near-term climate responses
Climate-linked disasters are causing unprecedented displacement, economic insecurity, and loss of life in many parts of the world, shining a light on the urgency of better information and options to ensure the safety of the people and ecosystems at risk.
Humanity’s most successful environmental protection efforts are those most effective at using science and evidence to guide decision-making to promote safety. SilverLining supports policies that advance science-based governance and equitable participation in research and decision-making on near-term climate responses.
International
Climate-linked disasters, slow progress on emissions reductions, and evidence of approaching tipping points have increased interest in the potential for rapid climate interventions to reduce near-term climate risks.
The international community currently lacks the critical scientific information needed to make informed decisions. Multiple international scientific assessment and research coordination bodies are well-positioned to play a role in informing and/or assessing near-term climate risks and climate interventions to fill these information gaps. There are also major gaps in equity in climate research funding and technology access that limit Global South participation in research and decision-making and prevent equity in the governance of responses to climate change. SilverLining is working to address these issues.
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The World Climate Research Program launches a Lighthouse Activity on Climate Intervention Research.
Webpage, Feb. 2024
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One Atmosphere: An Independent Expert Review on Solar Radiation Modification Research and Deployment
United Nations Environment Programme Report, Feb. 2023
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Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2022
WMO Report, Oct. 2022
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Report of the COMEST on the Ethics of Climate Engineering
UNESCO Report, Nov. 2023
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C2ES: SCI: Options for International Assessment & Decision-Making
Sue Biniaz & Dan Bodansky, Publication, Jul. 2020
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C2ES: Climate Intervention: The Case for Research
Sue Biniaz & Dan Bodansky, Publication, Oct. 2020
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Climate Intervention Research May be Critical to a More Just and Safe Society
Insights, Sept. 2020
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COP27 UN Climate Champions: Repairing our World to Avoid Runaway Climate Change
Video [89 mins], Nov. 2022
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SilverLining @ COP27: Models for Reducing Risk: Oceans, Vulnerability, and Climate Solutions
Video [62 mins], Nov. 2022
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The Growing Risk of Climate "Tipping Points": Scientific Evidence and Policy Responses
Video [63 mins], Aug. 2022
United States
U.S. federal science agencies provide the primary scientific support for many international environmental agreements and climate and environmental monitoring programs. As a result, U.S. research investments play a central role in supporting international governance regimes and open science.
SilverLining promotes US investment in improving capabilities for observing, predicting, and managing climate, including climate and weather-related disaster risk and early warning of abrupt changes in natural systems. In that context, SilverLining endorses a U.S. national research effort in near-term climate risks and interventions designed to support scientific assessment of the risks and impacts of climate interventions and projected warming within five years.
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Congressionally Mandated Report on Solar Radiation Modification
Report, Jun. 2023
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Near-term Climate Risk & Intervention: A Roadmap for Research & International Cooperation
SilverLining Report, Feb. 2023
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The Hill: Climate intervention Research: An Insurance Policy for Near-term Climate Risks
News Article, Dec. 2022
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Ensuring a Safe Climate: National Imperative for SCI Research & Earth System Prediction
SilverLining Report, Apr. 2019
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SilverLining: Near-Term Imperatives for Comprehensive Climate Policy
Report, Dec. 2020
“SAI can reduce potential flooding risks and extreme rainfall events for cities that are vulnerable.”
Yuchen Gu, Gu (MSci)
Researcher, University College London, and University of Exeter
“Only 3.8% of global climate change research funding was spent on Africa.”
Chris Lennard
Senior Researcher, University of Cape Town
“There is a general deficit in research funding and technology access in the global south, particularly in the most vulnerable parts of the world.”
Kelly Wanser
Executive Director, SilverLining
“Warming temperatures make adaptation more difficult, with increasing intensity and frequency of extreme events.”
Jim W. Hurrel
Professor and Scott Presidential Chair in Environmental Science and Engineering, Colorado State University
“How can we work together to ensure that young people, in the south, can have equal access to knowledge and information on [climate intervention].”
