Climate intervention on a high-emissions pathway could delay but not prevent West Antarctic Ice Sheet demise

This paper analyzes the impact of stratospheric aerosol injections (a form of solar radiation modification or SRM) on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) using an ice-sheet model. The study finds that large-scale SRM deployed in the mid-21st century could delay, but not prevent, WAIS collapse under a high-emissions scenario. On intermediate-emissions pathways, SRM might be more effective, potentially delaying or preventing WAIS instability. However, the authors emphasize the substantial risks and uncertainties associated with SRM, concluding that emissions reduction remains the most practical approach.

J. Sutter, A. Jones, T. L. Frölicher, C. Wirths, T. F. Stocker