If geoengineering is ever deployed in a climate emergency, transparency is key | Ines Camilloni

Climate Crisis Requires Global South Involvement in Geoengineering Decisions

As the world teeters on the brink of climate catastrophe, some are turning to an unconventional solution: solar geoengineering. The idea is simple: reflect sunlight back into space to cool the planet. But as the debate rages on, one group has been noticeably absent from the conversation: scientists and policymakers from the global south.

Climate experts warn that if solar geoengineering is ever deployed, transparency and inclusivity are crucial. The technology's effects would be unevenly distributed, with some areas potentially benefiting while others suffer harsh consequences. Yet, despite the growing urgency of the climate crisis, research funding for these technologies remains scarce in the global south.

Critics argue that excluding southern voices from geoengineering discussions is a recipe for disaster. Historical colonial dynamics have shaped climate policy, with solutions designed for one region but not by those who will be most affected. "We need public research on solar geoengineering led by institutions in the global south," writes Dr Ines Camilloni, a professor at the University of Buenos Aires and IPCC Working Group vice-chair. "We need funding that supports south-south collaboration... and a global governance framework that ensures equity, transparency, and informed consent."

The risks of solar geoengineering are real, but so is the danger of ignoring it altogether. If the technology is ever considered as part of a planetary emergency response, it must be debated in the light of day – not behind closed doors. Climate justice demands transparency and accountability.

As the climate crisis deepens, one thing is clear: the global south cannot afford to remain silent on this issue. We need southern voices to inform our decisions about solar geoengineering, and we need urgent action to address the knowledge gap that has grown in recent years. The clock is ticking – will we listen?

I'm so worried about climate change it's like, we're really running out of time. I think it's super unfair that scientists from the global south aren't being involved enough in these geoengineering decisions they know exactly what's at stake and how their regions would be affected. It's not just about 'fixing' the problem, but also about not making things worse for people who are already struggling We need more transparency and accountability in these discussions, and let's be real, it's a huge issue of equity too

come on guys can't we already see what's going down here? it's like we're trying to play climate whack-a-mole - one problem solved, another pops up and now we're talking about geoengineering? and you think the global south is just gonna magically show up at the table without some effort from our end? i'm not saying they should be excluded, but let's get real, we've been hearing about this stuff for years and what have we done?

I'm totally freaked out about this climate crisis thing . I think it's super unfair that scientists from the global south are being left out of these geoengineering decisions. Like, if they're gonna play with fire (or in this case, reflect sunlight back into space), they should at least get to decide how to do it .

It's all about the knowledge gap, right? Rich countries have been dominating climate policy for ages, but poor countries are bearing the brunt of the damage. It's time for a change . We need more funding and research in the global south so they can contribute to these conversations and help us find solutions that work for everyone.

I'm all about transparency and accountability when it comes to climate justice ️. If we're gonna try solar geoengineering, we should be doing it with open books and transparent governance. Anything less is just not cool . The clock is ticking, indeed – let's listen to the southern voices and get this done !

I'm low-key freaking out about this climate crisis thing . I mean, we're talking about a global south involvement in geoengineering decisions and it's kinda laughable that they're not being included in the conversation . Like, who do they think is going to be most affected by these solutions? The people from rich countries are gonna be just fine while the rest of us are stuck dealing with the heat .

We need to step up our research game and get some real south-south collaboration going on . Dr Ines Camilloni is totally right, we can't have a global governance framework without including southern voices in the decision-making process . It's time to break free from those colonial dynamics and actually listen to what the people who are most affected are saying .

I'm calling it now: we're running out of time and if we don't get our act together, this whole climate thing is gonna be a total disaster . We need transparency, accountability, and some serious south-south collaboration .

I'm not sure I buy into the idea of southern scientists being the only ones who can save us from climate doom . Can't they just get some funding like everyone else? It's not like they're asking for a miracle here... or are they?

And what exactly do we mean by "south-south collaboration"? Are they talking about setting up their own research institutions that nobody outside of the region has access to? That sounds like more of the same colonial shenanigans we've seen in climate policy before.

I'd love to see some real data on how this solar geoengineering thing is going to work out for everyone, not just the privileged few who get to decide for us. Can we get some peer-reviewed studies on this?

man this climate crisis is getting outta hand we can't just sit around and wait for someone else to save us gotta take responsibility for our own planet and it's crazy how the global south hasn't been at the table when it comes to geoengineering decisions... like, come on guys we need southern scientists and policymakers to weigh in on this stuff we can't just impose solutions from the north without considering the impacts on other parts of the world

Wow ! Climate crisis is getting super serious and it's time for everyone to come together . We can't just rely on big countries or scientists from one side of the world, we need all voices especially from the global south to be heard . It's crazy that they're saying historical colonial dynamics are still affecting climate policy . We gotta get funding and research going ASAP so everyone can benefit or suffer less from solar geoengineering . Transparency and equity are everything in this situation !

OMG, climate crisis is like literally super urgent rn can't believe they're not involving southern countries in geoengineering discussions... it's like they're gonna benefit from the cooling or something while others are, like, totally gonna suffer we need more research funding and southern collaboration ASAP

I'm getting so fed up with these climate forums . Can't we have a decent discussion without bringing up the same old "global south" issue? I mean, come on, it's not like they're not already doing their part in addressing climate change. And what's with all this hand-wringing about funding and research? Don't get me wrong, more money for climate research is always a good thing , but can't we focus on the actual solutions instead of just rehashing the same old problems? I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of climate-themed Groundhog Day . Can't we have a nuanced discussion about solar geoengineering without all the drama and politics? It's a simple technology, let's focus on the science , shall we?