Hi, I'm Xavier Auclert

    Reflections on a meeting about space-based solar geoengineering

    What?

    Summary

    Notes

    • In the past Space technologies seemed more plausible than atmospheric SRM
    • Today it is the opposite: space based is rarely mentioned or explicitly excluded and dismissed
    • Only 2% of solar geoeng discuss space based techs in detail
    • Space enthuiasts don't seem to be interested ... which is weird since they talk about terra forming mars, moving industry into space etc.
    • They brought space entrepreneurs / writers / experts with counterparts in geoengineering for a meeting
    • Technology is several decades out
      • Simplest: constant position screen at L1
        • Capturing 1% of radiation = counteract 50% of current warming = screen Area of Egypt (likely many times that)
        • Gathering asteroid dust near the L1?
        • Many ideas but they all need a first level of screening / alls seem implausible
        • There are techno paths for 1% screen by end of century
      • low earth orbit not practical: debris / flickering
    • Not an alternative to emissions reductions
    • Not a plausible short or mid term solution, but does come with advantages
      • More even cooling
      • Less governance issues?
      • ...