Official Solution:
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is often proposed as a geoengineering solution to combat global warming, offering the potential to temporarily reduce rising temperatures. However, concerns have emerged that SRM could unintentionally undermine efforts to address the root causes of climate change. Critics argue that by presenting SRM as a viable option, there is a risk of creating a "moral hazard," where the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is diminished.
Several studies suggest that awareness of SRM may reduce public support for critical mitigation strategies, such as emission reductions, aligning with the moral hazard theory. While some research points to increased backing for policies like carbon taxes after exposure to SRM, these findings are not conclusive. The broader concern remains that SRM may foster complacency, potentially delaying the necessary actions to address climate change in a comprehensive way.
Ultimately, while SRM could serve as a part of the climate solution, its role must be carefully evaluated. If overreliance on SRM shifts focus away from emissions reduction, the progress made in mitigating climate risks could be significantly weakened. Policymakers will need to weigh its potential benefits against the risk of reducing momentum in the fight to lower emissions—an effort widely regarded as essential for addressing the long-term impacts of climate change.
What can be inferred about the author's perspective on SRM?A. The author believes SRM will certainly shift focus away from emissions reduction.
B. The author believes SRM should not be prioritized over other climate interventions.
C. The author believes policymakers are best equipped to decide the risks of SRM.
D. The author believes SRM might prove useful in the battle against climate change.
E. The author believes SRM is ineffective in addressing climate change.
A) Incorrect. This answer choice is too extreme. The passage hints that SRM could shift focus away from emissions reduction but does not definitively state that this will happen. The concern is presented as a possibility in the text, not a certainty, which makes this answer choice incorrect.
B) Incorrect. The author does not state that SRM should not be prioritized over other interventions. The argument is about balancing SRM with emissions reduction, not establishing a priority order.
C) Incorrect. The author does not imply that policymakers are the best suited to assess the risks of SRM. The passage mentions policymakers only in the context of weighing SRM's benefits and risks, but no comment about their decision capability is provided.
D) Correct Answer. This option captures the author's balanced perspective. The passage suggests SRM could be useful in addressing climate change but warns against relying on it too heavily at the expense of emissions reduction efforts.
E) Incorrect. The author does not claim that SRM is ineffective in addressing climate change. This is the opposite of what the author suggests. The author argues that SRM could be part of the solution, as long as it doesn't undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Answer: D