Prohibition of Solar Engineering Interventions

Solar geoengineering, a proposed solution to the climate crisis, has been a topic of intense debate. This radical approach involves modifying Earth's atmosphere to create a reflective barrier against the sun's radiation.

While some see it as a temporary fix, providing more time for mitigation and adaptation, others view it as a dangerous distraction from addressing the root causes of the crisis. The risks associated with solar geoengineering are unpredictable, and its effects would be unequally distributed, potentially causing severe droughts, hurricanes, and other extreme weather.

One of the main concerns is that solar geoengineering could amplify existing global power imbalances. Decisions about its deployment would primarily be made by rich countries in the Global North, potentially leaving countries on the front lines of the climate crisis, such as Vanuatu, at a disadvantage.

Moreover, solar geoengineering never addresses the root causes of the climate crisis. It is seen by many as a Band-Aid solution that could provide an excuse for major emitters to continue their fossil-fuel addiction.

The economic and societal transformation demanded by climate change is not receiving adequate investment today. Meanwhile, millions of dollars have been funneled into solar geoengineering initiatives, largely by tech and finance billionaires.

A small group of well-funded young individuals advocating for solar geoengineering research are often connected to organizations promoting these controversial technologies, raising suspicion of co-optation. In contrast, over 2,000 civil-society organizations, including Fridays For Future, and over 540 academics have called for an International Non-Use Agreement on Solar Geoengineering.

Despite the controversy, solar geoengineering would involve modifying our planet's atmosphere in ways that cannot be adequately tested at scale, with effects that will last decades or longer. A sudden halt to solar-geoengineering efforts could lead to a "termination shock," causing rapid warming and dangerous spikes in temperature for future generations.

The pursuit of solar geoengineering could mean young people being left to shoulder the responsibility of another crisis they did not create, amounting to a profound generational betrayal. As such, it is crucial to prioritise climate mitigation and adaptation efforts that address the root causes of the crisis and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.

Recent searches have not yielded any specific organizations or individuals actively proposing or funding research on "solargeguerdete Technik" (solar-shielded technology) in recent years. Instead, the results focus on unrelated topics such as digital child protection, economic issues in Austria, and education initiatives without mentioning this specific technology or its funding.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) was no exception in falling short of delivering what was needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change. As the debate around solar geoengineering continues, it is essential to remember that the best course of action remains reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and promoting sustainable development.