Three programs. One shared goal.
CCI conducts open-source research across two Sunlight Reflection Methods technology programs and one governance support program. Each is designed to advance understanding of feasibility, risks, and policy requirements — not to advocate for deployment.
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI)
SAI is a proposed form of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM). It would use reflective aerosol particles in the stratosphere to redirect a small fraction of incoming sunlight back to space.
In broad radiative terms, an SRM program would need to reflect only a very small fraction of incoming sunlight, roughly 0.2% to 0.3%, to stop additional warming from today.
CCI builds on fundamental research by climate scientists and examines potential next steps through a systems-engineering lens. Our goal is to evaluate not only whether SRM concepts are scientifically plausible, but whether they could be operationally feasible, governable, and safe enough to merit further consideration. This requires studying deployment constraints, failure modes, safety margins, monitoring needs, and real-world limits that laboratory research alone cannot fully answer.
CCI does not advocate for SRM deployment.
Explore SAI Program
Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB)
MCB explores a different approach to SRM: enhancing the reflectivity of natural marine clouds by influencing their microphysical properties through targeted seawater aerosol injection.
MCB is a SRM approach that increases reflectivity of certain marine clouds by influencing their microphysical properties. This can be accomplished by spraying extremely small droplets of sea water into the air.
The principal challenge for MCB deployment is creating small enough particles, which need diameters similar to a virus particle. Creating these droplets efficiently is an engineering challenge. CCI will leverage cross-disciplinary expertise in fluid dynamics and thermal sciences to explore break-through possibilities.
Governance Support
Credible SRM governance requires information that doesn't yet exist at the scale policy demands. CCI works to fill these critical voids — providing technical and analytical foundations for informed policy development.
Developing governance policy for SRM is critically important, but progress has been limited. CCI is working to fill information voids which hindered policy development.
Engineering assessments cover:
- Technical barriers that could limit implementation and concentrate political power
- Deployment options and risks
- Cost/benefit ratios
Expand CCI's research capacity.
All three programs have passed Preliminary Feasibility Review. We are now seeking scientific, engineering, and philanthropic partners to advance this research.