COMSATS Scientists Research SRM’s Impact On Health Sector

News Desk

Islamabad: A team of social scientists from COMSATS University Islamabad has been awarded a competitive research grant from The Degrees Initiative to explore the socio-political implications of solar radiation management (SRM) on Pakistan’s health sector.

The grant is part of a broader effort to support social scientists in developing countries and emerging economies. It aims to connect scientific evidence with policy planning, supported by The Degrees Initiative Socio-Political Fund.

SRM, also known as solar geoengineering or climate intervention, aims to mitigate global warming by reflecting sunlight back into space through techniques like spraying tiny particles into the upper atmosphere. This controversial approach could have significant impacts, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions like the Global South.

Principal Investigator Professor Dr Athar Hussain stated that this groundbreaking research will explore the critical intersections of SRM, climate change, and public health in Pakistan. This initiative builds upon our earlier project that examined the potential impacts of SRM on climate change and malaria in South Asia, he added.

Our previous research generated valuable scientific evidence on the expected impacts of climate change and SRM on malaria in Pakistan and South Asia, Dr Athar added.

The team will develop an interface and dashboard for policymakers, providing evidence-based information on malaria under projected climate change and SRM scenarios across Pakistan. This data will aid decision-makers in understanding the risks and potential benefits of SRM and inform policy development.

Policy Analyst on the project Dr Abdul Waheed said, “Through extensive stakeholder consultations, we aim to inform policy development and support the creation of balanced policies that consider the potential benefits and risks of SRM technologies, aligning them with public health and climate resilience objectives.”

This pioneering project is the first of its kind in Pakistan and among the initial social science SRM research efforts in South Asia.

For more details about the previous project, visit: https://www.degrees.ngo/research-funds/projects/pakistan-2023/