Three Degrees Modelling Fund (DMF) scientists were amongst nine co-authors of a report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), exploring issues around the research and governance of SRM. The report is titled “One Atmosphere: An Independent Expert Review on Solar Radiation Modification Research and Deployment”.
Prof. Govindasamy Bala of the Indian Institute of Science is currently leading a DMF project investigating the Indian summer monsoon, while Prof. Inés Camilloni, University of Buenos Aires, leads a project on La Plata basins’ hydroclimate. Dr Christopher Trisos, University of Cape Town, is part of a project looking at biodiversity and human health.
Other authors included Degrees Initiative volunteers Prof. Jim Haywood and Prof. Kate Ricke, and references cited the work of numerous DMF research collaborators as well as Degrees’ CEO Andy Parker.
A number of the report’s recommendations underlined issues central to the initiative’s work and mission, noting that “scientific review that compares the risks of an SRM deployment with climate change risks without SRM deployment requires the participation of a broad array of relevant stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, values, perspectives and interests”.
It also called for “a globally inclusive conversation… on a broad range of issues with all stakeholders, as many, especially from the Global South, are not currently engaged in SRM discussion and research”. These recommendations echo the core mission of the Degrees Initiative. Since its launch in 2010, Degrees has been working to change the global environment in which SRM is evaluated, ensuring informed and confident representation from the Global South.
The Degrees Modelling Fund is the first international SRM modelling fund, and the first aimed exclusively at scientists in developing countries. It is the largest SRM research initiative in the world by number of scientists, comprising more than 150 researchers working across 24 projects in 21 developing countries. It has awarded over $1.8M in research grants to date. We look forward to continuing and expanding our work to put the Global South at the centre of the SRM conversation and we are honoured that the UNEP report recognises the value of our mission.
