Graphic
SRM potential benefits and risks
Sunlight reflection methods (SRM) could lower global temperatures, reducing many risks, but introducing others. Some examples:
Potential srm benefits
Potential srm RISKS
Food
Changes in rainfall due to SRM could reduce crop yields in some regions.
By reducing warming, SRM might boost crop yields overall
WATER
SRM would change rainfall patterns, improving water security in some regions
Those changed rainfall patterns might cause worsening water security in other regions.
HEALTH
SRM would reduce extreme heat and its health impacts, reduce shifts in the spread of diseases overall
SRM could increase extreme heat risks in some regions.
SRM could also delay the recovery of the ozone hole and add to air pollution, posing health risks.
ECOSYSTEMS
Lower temperatures would reduce coral bleaching. Reduced climate change would mean fewer extinctions overall, but potentially more extinctions in some regions.
SRM would not address ocean acidification which would still threaten coral reefs.
Reduced climate change could potentially mean more extinctions in some regions.
EXTREME WEATHER
Many weather extremes would be less intense, including reduced extreme rainfall overall.
Droughts may be more intense in some regions with SRM.
ECONOMY
Reduced climate change could mean reduced economic impacts with SRM.
Reduced water availability in some regions could have economic consequences.
SECURITY
Less intense climate extremes could reduce the risk of violent conflict.
There could be conflict over the use of SRM.
Source: SRM360.org
Potential srm benefits
Potential srm RISKS
Food
By reducing warming, SRM might boost crop yields overall
Changes in rainfall due to SRM could reduce crop yields in some regions.
WATER
SRM would change rainfall patterns, improving water security in some regions
Those changed rainfall patterns might cause worsening water security in other regions.
HEALTH
SRM would reduce extreme heat and its health impacts, reduce shifts in the spread of diseases overall
SRM could increase extreme heat risks in some regions.
SRM could also delay the recovery of the ozone hole and add to air pollution, posing health risks.
ECOSYSTEMS
Lower temperatures would reduce coral bleaching. Reduced climate change would mean fewer extinctions overall, but potentially more extinctions in some regions.
SRM would not address ocean acidification which would still threaten coral reefs.
Reduced climate change could potentially mean more extinctions in some regions.
EXTREME WEATHER
Many weather extremes would be less intense, including reduced extreme rainfall overall.
Droughts may be more intense in some regions with SRM.
ECONOMY
Reduced climate change could mean reduced economic impacts with SRM.
Reduced water availability in some regions could have economic consequences.
SECURITY
Less intense climate extremes could reduce the risk of violent conflict.
There could be conflict over the use of SRM.
Source: SRM360.org