The Arctic in focus
Arctic warming is not an economic opportunity
ARC's Eirini Malliaraki, Nick van Osdol, and Charlotte DeWald argue that treating Arctic warming as an economic opportunity is a catastrophic miscalculation. The Arctic's climate-regulation functions – cooling the planet, stabilising circulation, and storing vast amounts of carbon – are far more valuable than gains from shipping routes or resource extraction.
Marine cloud brightening (MCB) could maintain Arctic sea ice
Henry et al. investigate MCB deployment to cool the Arctic using three Earth System Models. They find MCB could maintain Arctic sea ice without significant climate impacts outside the region, though the study doesn't consider technical feasibility.
We discussed whether solar geoengineering could help Arctic sea ice – and what new risks it could introduce – in our September 2025 live discussion. Watch the recording.
The Guardian series: making the case for research
In a recent opinion series, Dakota Gruener and Daniele Visioni advocated for responsible research, including field experiments rolled out slowly and cautiously, similar to medical trials. Brent Minchew and Colin Meyer discussed glaciers and sea level rise, arguing that technological approaches need exploration. Ines Camilloni emphasised transparency and inclusion in decision-making, recognising Global South engagement doesn't mean endorsement of deployment. Craig Segall and Baroness Bryony Worthington called for knowing our options rather than banning research.
We covered this series in depth in our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, Reflections. Read the most recent edition and subscribe to stay in the loop.
Risk framing and governance gaps
SRM positioned as emergency risk-management
A new University of Exeter report warns policymakers and financial institutions are systematically underestimating climate risks. In its proposed "Planetary Solvency" recovery plan, the report includes SRM research as part of an emergency toolkit, noting aerosol pollution has already masked around 0.5°C of warming. The authors call for urgent research and informed debate on SRM alongside rapid emissions reductions, greenhouse gas removal, and large-scale restoration of natural systems.
French Academy of Sciences: stop advancing SRM deployment
In a new interview with The Conversation, scientist Laurent Bopp outlines the French Academy of Sciences’ recommendation to block SRM deployment, citing concerns about termination shock, governance failure, and the risk that large-scale research funding could legitimise premature use. The Academy suggests exploring an international treaty prohibiting SRM deployment.
UNEA-7: SRM discussed, informally
The issue surfaced in informal discussions among civil society, youth groups, scientists, and policymakers, according to DSG. However, Operaatio Arktis noted that delegations and the public remain largely unaware of SRM research, creating power imbalances. CIEL suggested the African Group of Negotiators may have advanced discussions on a non-use agreement on the sidelines.
Governance challenges at odds with political realities
Estrada et al. analyse governance challenges, identifying a narrow pathway to beneficial deployment, requiring strong emissions cuts, very low risk of abrupt termination, and gradual phase-out – conditions they argue are at odds with current sociopolitical realities.
Private sector investment and motivations |
