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 examines the potential to partially offset warming by introducing fine aerosol particles into the stratosphere, where they reflect a small fraction of incoming sunlight back to space.
SAI is a proposed Sunlight Reflection Method (SRM). It uses aerosol dust in the stratosphere to reflect a small percentage of sunlight back to space. If 1% of the incoming sunlight is reflected, then warming effects of CO₂ could be largely cancelled.
We leverage fundamental research by climate scientists and consider potential 'next steps'. The overarching goal of CCI's program is to examine opportunities and risks in the context of systems engineering. This has been a neglected aspect of SRM research with significant potential for advancement.
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.