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Risks from Solar Geoengineering with Stratospheric Aerosol Injection on Land Vertebrates
Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), otherwise known as ‘solar geoengineering', is a proposed set of methods to limit the amount of sunlight that is able to reach the surface of the Earth in order to mitigate the effects of global warming. However, its potential effects on biodiversity and ecosystems...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
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Department of Environmental and Geographical Science
2026
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| Summary: | Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), otherwise known as ‘solar geoengineering', is a proposed set of methods to limit the amount of sunlight that is able to reach the surface of the Earth in order to mitigate the effects of global warming. However, its potential effects on biodiversity and ecosystems have received minimal attention in literature. In this study, I investigated the risks to terrestrial biodiversity from stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), one of the most studied methods of SRM, whereby megatons of sulphate or other aerosol particles are injected into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight back into space. Specifically, I assessed the temporal dynamics of exposure to potentially dangerous temperatures for more than 26,000 species of terrestrial vertebrates using a G6sulfur scenario, which provides simulations of a high emissions pathway (SSP5-8.5) with SAI deployed using sulphate aerosols to keep global warming levels similar to that in an intermediate-emissions scenario achieved through conventional mitigation (SSP2- 4.5). The results showed that the magnitude of species populations exposed to potentially dangerous temperature conditions under G6sulfur was 14% higher than under SSP2-4.5. Tropical forests of South America, Central Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia are projected to have the most increase in risk from G6sulfur when compared to SSP2-4.5. Moreover, these places appear to be impacted by earlier and more abrupt exposure under G6sulpur when compared to SSP2-4.5, which could affect the time species have to adapt to temperature changes and could potentially prompt ecological disruption. However, for the Sahel region and India, SAI deployment may reduce risk of species exposure. This reveals the complexities of governing proposed SAI deployment and necessitates informed decision making on whether and how to deploy these types of interventions. More research is needed on the effects of various deployment scenarios on biodiversity and the increased participation of developing countries in SRM research and decision-making processes is essential. |
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