SRM, US & China - Nielsen

Daniel Bodansky discusses his recent article on the drawbacks of a global moratorium on solar radiation management deployment.The conversation critiques whether a moratorium is feasible or effective, arguing it could hinder critical research, be difficult to enforce, and unintentionally become a proxy for a permanent ban. Instead, the discussion highlights the need for more research and stronger governance frameworks to better understand and responsibly manage geoengineering.Article: Biniaz, S., & Bodansky, D. (2025, May 13). Why a global “moratorium” on solar radiation management deployment should get a chilly reception. Just Security. https://www.justsecurity.org/113295/moratorium-srm-deployment-chilly-reception/

Diego Villanueva discusses his paper on mixed-phase regime cloud thinning (MCT). This geoengineering approach involves using ice-nucleating particles to reduce the heat-trapping effects of polar clouds.Using climate and cloud-resolving models, the study finds MCT could offset up to 25% of polar ocean warming from CO₂ doubling and increase sea ice by 8% in the Arctic and 14% in Antarctica. In the podcast, we discuss the science behind this method, its potential benefits, limitations, and broader implications. Paper: Villanueva, D., Possner, A., Neubauer, D., Gasparini, B., Lohmann, U., & Tesche, M. (2022). Mixed-phase regime cloud thinning could help restore sea ice. Environmental Research Letters, 17(11), 114057. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/aca16d

@geoengineering1 interviews Fabien Bardinet, co-founder of CIRCEO [linkedin.com/company/circeocc], a new company focused on marine-based carbon capture. CIRCEO is developing semi-autonomous sailing drones that generate electricity from wind to power onboard electrochemical systems that remove carbon from seawater. The company is currently hiring a CDR Electrochemist Co-founder: linkedin.com/jobs/view/4205443622.

Tyler Felgenhauer and @geoengineering1 discuss risk-risk trade-offs. Paper: Tyler Felgenhauer, Govindasamy Bala, Mark E Borsuk, Inés Camilloni, Jonathan B Wiener, Jianhua Xu, Practical paths to risk-risk analysis of solar radiation modification, Oxford Open Climate Change, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2025, kgaf012, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfclm/kgaf012 Guest info: Tyler Felgenhauer, PhD; Senior Research Scientist; Research Director; The Duke Center on Risk; Duke University link for the RFF workshop. https://www.rff.org/events/conferences/2025-rff-and-harvard-srm-social-science-research-workshop-governance-in-a-fractured-world/

Jeffrey Nielsen and @geoengineering1 discuss how the strategic relationship between the US and China will interact with SRM. Paper: Jeffrey Nielsen, The big green button: stratospheric aerosol injection as a geopolitical dilemma during strategic competition between the United States and China, and implications for expanding aerosol injection near-term research, Oxford Open Climate Change, Volume 5, Issue 1, 2025, kgaf009, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfclm/kgaf009

Enrico Prats Salvado discusses the benefits and challenges of using the sun's heat for DAC desorb. Paper Prats-Salvado, E., Monnerie, N. & Sattler, C. Powering Direct Air Capture: Overview of Existing Concepts and the Overlooked Role of Concentrated Solar Thermal Technologies. Curr Sustainable Renewable Energy Rep 12, 8 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40518-025-00255-y

Claire Nelson, founder of Cella mineral storage, explains how underground injections of water alternating with CO2 might aid mineralsation. Paper: Water-alternating-gas injections for optimized mineral carbon storage in basalt https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1750583624002263 Poppin' Fresh, more widely known as the Pillsbury Doughboy, is also, rather randomly, discussed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillsbury_Doughboy

Paul Reginato explains how biotech can be applied to CDR. Paper: Biotechnology in direct air capture, enhanced weathering, and methane removal: emerging opportunities and gaps. https://doi.org/10.3389/fclim.2024.1440833

Can we just throw carbon in the sea - like a mobile phone with incriminating evidence on? Brenna Boehman and Erica Dorr from Sinkco and Riverse come on to discuss their Marine Carbon Burial Methodology with @geoengineering1

Martin Freimüller introduces Octavia Carbon, explaining how they're making DAC work in Kenya's Great Rift Valley. Hosted by @geoengineering1