Global South scientists shape the future of SRM modelling at GeoMIP

Degrees supported the attendance of 11 Degrees Modelling Fund (DMF) scientists, from across Africa, Asia and South America. This was the largest number of developing country researchers ever to attend a GeoMIP workshop, and their presence was intended to better reflect Global South perspectives in the design of future SRM climate models and to help build a global community of experts.

Participants explored innovative modelling methodologies, identified knowledge gaps, and debated how models could better simulate the local impacts of SRM. Some of the DMF scientists also presented their research:

• Dr Amadou Coulibaly (Mali) on the impacts of SRM on cities in the Sahel region. 
• Varisha Khan (Pakistan) on SRM’s potential impact on malaria transmission across South Asia. 
• Prof. Alfonso Fernandez (Chile) on the climate/glacier interactions in the Andes.

The DMF scientists challenged some of the prevailing thinking at GeoMIP by raising issues they encountered in their modelling work and bringing up regional policy focuses, such as prioritising precipitation over temperature as the main variable of interest. Dr Chris Lennard (South Africa) gave a presentation on the challenges and opportunities of expanding SRM research in the Global South. 

The contributions of DMF scientists at the 13th GeoMIP meeting was a significant milestone in putting developing country perspectives at the centre of SRM evaluation, and we are grateful that so many people travelled so far to participate.