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Stratospheric aerosol injection

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is an idea to lower the global temperature by dispersing tiny particles in the upper atmosphere to reflect a small fraction of sunlight. SAI is the most researched approach among the sunlight reflection methods (SRM), and researchers are confident that it would be technically feasible, but it would come with new risks and challenges.

SAI would involve specially designed planes releasing tiny particles in the stratosphere. These particles would spread out across the world and last for 1–2 years.

Sunlight

Troposphere

Stratosphere

A small fraction of sunlight would be reflected,cooling the planet.

Source: SRM360

SAI would involve specially designed planes releasing tiny particles in the stratosphere.

These particles would spread out across the world and last for 1–2 years.

SUNLIGHT

STRATOSPHERE

TROPOSPHERE

A small fraction of sunlight would be reflected, cooling the planet.

Source: SRM360

Published June 11, 2026
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Citation

SRM360 (2026) – "Stratospheric aerosol injection" [Infographic]. Published online at SRM360.org. Retrieved from: 'https://srm360.org/infographic/stratospheric-aerosol-injection-2/' [Online Resource]

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