Reflecting Sunlight to Reduce Climate Risk
Provided by: Council on Foreign Relations|Published on: June 20, 2025|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 11, 12, AP
Type: Scientific Reports
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering
Authors: Council on Foreign Relations, Stewart M. Patrick
Location: Earth, North America > United States
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This report from the Council on Foreign Relations explains why there should be a coordinated, multinational effort to research the potential efficacy and ramifications of sunlight reflection.
- Students will learn about the push against this research, its importance, and how it may be a necessary measure to temporarily keep climate change impacts at bay.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The bulleted list in the Recommendations section helps students see what measures the author calls for easily.
- This report is an excellent example of an eloquently written argument that addresses opposing concerns.
Prerequisites
- This video can help students build background knowledge about geoengineering that may be necessary for understanding the report.
- The 2022 invasion of Ukraine is referenced in this report. Students may need background information about this event.
Differentiation & Implementation
- For students with lower reading stamina who may become overwhelmed by the length of this report, teachers may want to tackle this report one section at a time. Each section contains an abundance of information, and younger students may need several class periods to read, discuss, and retain the information from one section.
- Students can take time to review the report collectively and independently to prepare for a debate concerning the proposed ban on research concerning solar geoengineering that the report argues against. Students can debate and discuss what types of research may warrant a ban, when a ban may be harmful, and which of these categories they believe this particular ban falls under.
- This report uses many acronyms that may be new or unfamiliar to students. It may benefit students to have a cheat sheet for these acronyms and other unfamiliar terms to refer to as they read the report.
- Political science students can analyze and discuss the potential geopolitical ramifications introduced in the report.
- This report makes recommendations for the Joe Biden administration. Students can discuss how the current political climate may impact the adoption of the recommendations.
This resource from the Council on Foreign Relations outlines the potential of solar geoengineering, or sunlight reflection, as a climate risk-reduction strategy. It introduces key concepts in atmospheric intervention and global governance. While no supplementary classroom materials are provided, this report offers an introduction to a controversial climate intervention and would be a good addition to a classroom discussion on climate policy and global cooperation.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
