Study explores the feasibility of deploying SAI at lower cost with existing aircrafts | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Study explores the feasibility of deploying SAI at lower cost with existing aircrafts

Posted 09 Jun 2025

2 min read

Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), is a type of geo-engineering technique involving Solar Radiation Management (SRM). 

About Geo-Engineering

  • Itis the intentional large-scale intervention in the Earth’s climate system to counter climate changes. 
  • It is of two Types: 
    • Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): Approaches, practices, and technologies that remove and durably store CO2 from the atmosphere. 
      • E.g., Direct air capture and carbon storage (DACCS), Biochar (can be used as a growing medium aiding vertical farming, promote nitrogen fixation, water retention).
    • Solar Radiation Management (SRM): It refers to deliberate, large-scale actions intended to decrease global average surface temperatures by increasing the reflection of sunlight away from the Earth.

About SAI

  • SAI is a type of SRM that mimics the planet cooling effects of volcanic eruptions by injecting sulfur dioxide (SO2) directly into the stratosphere where it forms sunlight-reflecting sulfate aerosols. 
    • Aerosols are small particles suspended in the atmosphere like mineral dust, smoke, volcanic ash, etc. 

Other SRM Techniques

  • Marine cloud brightening (MCB): Adds aerosol to the lower atmosphere over ocean regions increasing reflectivity of low-lying marine clouds.
  • Cirrus cloud thinning (CCT):  Modifies the properties of high altitude ice clouds increasing transmission of outgoing terrestrial radiations. 
  • Surface albedo enhancement: Increasing the reflectivity of surfaces, e.g., white roofs. 
  • Space-based methods: Proposes large “mirrors” in space to reflect sunlight.
  • Tags :
  • Aerosols
  • SAI
  • Geo-Engineering
  • SRM
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