Outstanding Questions
Many scientists and policy experts agree that more SRM research is needed to give policymakers the information necessary to put governance structures in place should SRM be considered for development or deployment. Should such SRM research be conducted? If so, how can the research be conducted safely and with public buy-in?
Which municipalities, states, nations, or multinational bodies will have the power to regulate and govern SRM technologies?
Who will be liable for harms caused by SRM research or deployment—funders, scientists, companies, or governments? What would accountability entail?
How can scientists and policymakers combat misinformation and build public trust around SRM?
How should the regional and global risks and benefits of SRM technologies be evaluated, especially at a moment when research is limited and many U.S. states are attempting to outlaw SRM research?
How will SRM’s successes or failures be measured?
How should the potential for termination shock be addressed?
If SRM successfully and safely lowers global temperatures, how can we prevent it from becoming a substitute for climate mitigation and adaptation?
How do we navigate the competing and sometimes contradictory justice claims surrounding SRM (i.e., SRM could help the Global South, but SRM governance may not include Global South leadership)?
How should policymakers balance local and global perspectives on SRM research and possible deployment?