Implications and risks of engineering solar radiation to limit climate change (IMPLICC) (completed)

The overall goal of this project is to significantly increase the level of knowledge about the feasibility and implications of novel options (or “geoengineering concepts”), proposed recently to limit climate change.

About the project

Among these possibilities, a deliberate manipulation of the radiative budget of the Earth may allow a counterbalancing of the effects of continued greenhouse gas emissions on global temperature, but may also result in undesirable side effects for crucial parts of the Earth system and humankind. Three complex climate models will be used to quantify the effectiveness and side effects of such geoengineering concepts aiming at a reduction of the incoming solar radiation. Simulations of a climate modified through geoengineering will be performed based on IPCC type future emission scenarios. Economic modelling will be used to link benefits and side effects of the studied geoengineering concepts.

Objectives

Model studies will be performed to engineer solar radiation. The focus will be on:

  • space borne reflectors (placed at the Lagrangian point between the Earth and sun)
  • sulphur injections into the stratosphere
  • engineering of low level marine clouds through sea salt injections

Financing

  • EU - FP7

IMPLICC started July 2009 and ends June 2012

Read more about IMPLICC (external link)

Published Feb. 10, 2011 11:03 AM - Last modified Oct. 13, 2016 10:16 PM

Participants

  • Jon Egill Kristjansson Universitetet i Oslo
  • Kari Alterskjær Universitetet i Oslo
  • Helene Muri Universitetet i Oslo
Detailed list of participants