As global temperatures rise and efforts to reduce emissions fall short, scientists are exploring ways to understand possible strategies for limiting climate impacts. One emerging approach is Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), which aims to cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight back into space or by allowing more heat to escape the atmosphere. Techniques include stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI)—introducing reflective particles into the upper atmosphere—and cloud thinning, which increases outgoing radiation from the Earth’s surface.
Researchers at The University of the West Indies, Mona began studying SRM in 2018. Their early work examined whether SRM could reduce temperatures in the Caribbean and how it might influence rainfall. These initial studies suggested that SRM could cool the region fairly evenly, although some areas might experience reductions in rainfall (Clarke et al., 2021).
The research has since expanded to explore SRM’s potential effects on renewable energy, focusing on wind and solar power—key components of the Caribbean’s clean-energy transition. Early results, based on specific SRM scenarios and compared with a moderate climate scenario (RCP4.5), indicate that solar power generation may change only slightly (around ±10%), while wind power could vary more across seasons, with increases or decreases of ±5% to ±100% (Williams et al., 2025). It is important to note that these results represent particular scenarios of SRM, and other strategies or approaches could produce different outcomes.
The project is now entering a new phase, using high-resolution climate models to examine SRM’s effects on wind and solar energy at local scales across the Caribbean. The research is not aimed at promoting or opposing SRM; rather, it seeks to provide the region with evidence-based insights into possible climate and energy impacts. While the wider team has evolved over-time, Dr Leonardo Clarke (Lecture), Mr Matthew Williams (Graduate student), and Professor Michael Taylor from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology have been part of the research since its inception and continue to lead its development.
Dr Clarke and Mr Matthew Williams presented a joint presentation detailing past, present and future solar radiation modification research in the Caribbean at the second Degrees Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Workshop in Bogota, Colombia, from October 14 -15, 2025.
References:
- Clarke, L. A., Taylor, M. A., Centella-Artola, A., Williams, M. S. M., Campbell, J. D., Bezanilla-Morlot, A., & Stephenson, T. S. (2021). The Caribbean and 1.5 °C: Is SRM an Option? Atmosphere, 12(3), 367. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos12030367
- Williams, M. S. M., Clarke, L. A., Koon Koon, R., Taylor, M. A., Campbell, J. D., & Stephenson, T. S. (2025). The effects of solar radiation modification on solar and wind resources and power generation in the Caribbean. PLoS One, 20(6), e0325226. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0325226
