@DKeithClimate profile picture
David Keith @DKeithClimate

Climate science and technology policy since 1989. Building Climate Systems Engineering @UChicago. Founded Carbon Engineering. Bluesky: @davidkeith.bsky.social

Joined September 2015
  • Tweets 3,224
  • Following 210
  • Followers 9,531
567 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
David Keith@DKeithClimate
15 Oct 2024
New paper: "Solar Geoengineering: History, Methods, Governance, Prospects" by @parson_ted & me in Annual Reviews. Full text at: davidkeith.earth/publication… I am particularly proud of this paper. This thread provides some highlights: 1/8
29
22
55
13,157
On May 18–19, the @UChicago Climate Systems Engineering initiative is bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners for a public symposium we're calling "Frontiers in Climate Systems Engineering.” The goal is simple: rigorous analysis and open debate.
1
4
6
576
May 18 starts with an introductory overview and policy discussions. Presentations on May 19 will be tilted towards science and technology with more expert-oriented discussions.
1
1
262
If you’re interested in how these ideas are evolving and how they might (or might not) fit into climate policy, I hope you’ll join us. Register and learn more here: climateengineering.uchicago.…

Frontiers in Climate Systems Engineering

Climate systems engineering — consisting of open-systems carbon removal, sunlight reflection, and interventions to slow glacial melting — is increasingly part of the global debate about how societies...

climateengineering.uchicago.edu
1
185
Enjoyed my conversation on SRM360's webinar/pod yesterday. Check it out here: srm360.org/video/emissions-c…

Are Emissions Cuts on Track to Avoid Catastrophic Impacts?

Watch the recording of SRM360's live discussion on emissions cuts, projections, and the potential role of solar geoengineering (SRM).

srm360.org
3
3
4
890
Daniele Visioni and I explain our concerns about Stardust and the commercialization of climate engineering in Technology Review: technologyreview.com/2025/11…

Why the for-profit race into solar geoengineering is bad for science and public trust

Two scientists argue that the growing commercial efforts to counter climate change by reflecting away sunlight will thwart responsible research in the field.

technologyreview.com
2
5
11
4,988
Zeke Hausfather and I have an NYT op-ed out today, nytimes.com/2025/09/21/opini… Here's my short blog post on the topic: davidkeith.earth/preserving-… 1/4

Opinion | Turns Out Air Pollution Was Good for Something

A small, carefully scaled geoengineering program could compensate for the loss of cooling as we eliminate sulfur pollution.

nytimes.com
1
11
12
3,166
more replies
First, it ties use of SRM to clean up of pollution, and since this pollution is mostly from burning fossil fuels, this is roughly equivalent to tying use of SRM to cuts in fossil fuels; and second, it provides a non-arbitrary fixed upper limit on how much SRM can be deployed. 3/4
1
3
2
691
One can imagine this rule is simple enough to be useful in international negotiations over sunlight reflection. My prior NYT op-ed's on this topic: davidkeith.earth/the-new-yor…, and nytimes.com/2008/09/20/opini… 4/4

The New York Times: What’s the Least Bad Way to Cool the Planet? - David Keith

By David Keith How to cool the planet? The energy infrastructure that powers our civilization must be rebuilt, replacing fossil fuels with carbon-free sources such as solar or nuclear. But even then,...

davidkeith.earth
4
4
789
Enjoyed Cape Town last month at the @DegreesNGO Forum 2025. I had the pleasure of joining @hollyjeanbuck and @MutisoRose for a plenary session on how sunlight reflection methods (SRM) fit into the broader climate response toolbox. #DGF2025 youtu.be/jlUQl6YjIjc?si=-Im9…

3
7
12
1,891
more replies
Rose Mutiso is a great rising voice in the climate and energy space, and I recently spoke with her about the energy transition in Africa on my Energy vs Climate podcast: youtu.be/DjOcyXPxaoc?si=ujp-… Rose's Ted Talk on the subject is also a must watch: youtu.be/77HUdJ7Tij0?si=Svh4…

Rose Mutiso: The Truth About Africa's Energy Future | Energy vs...

*David & Ed chat with Dr. Rose Mutiso (about the tension between en...

youtube.com
2
1
1
1,139
And Holly Buck is a powerful writer on geoengineering. See her book "After Geoengineering." Also, her article "The Rise of Green MAGA" is essential reading for the current political environment: compactmag.com/article/the-r… Here's Holly on our pod: energyvsclimate.com/rise-of-…

The Rise of Green MAGA

Geoengineering is “probably as dangerous to us as climate change itself,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated on his podcast last year.

compactmag.com
2
2
2
952
Can Canada afford to ignore sunlight reflection methods (SRM)? I’m joining @LisaD144 from the @EnvDefenseFund for a discussion hosted by The Transition Accelerator (@CanAccelerator), a major Canadian NGO focused on the climate. June 10, 12pm ET. Join: transitionaccelerator.ca/web…

Can We Afford to Ignore Solar Geoengineering?

Should Canada act now to build its SRM research capacity and leadership? How can we foster the local expertise and international partnerships we’ll need to control the technology should solar...

transitionaccelerator.ca
3
4
4
836
more replies
Lisa Dilling (@LisaD144) leads SRM research at the Environmental Defense Fund and has written about the need to explore the potential impacts of SRM before any sort of deployment is considered: blogs.edf.org/climate411/202…

Why it’s time to explore the potential impacts of Solar Radiation Modification

EDF explains why it is time to explore the potential impacts of solar radiation modification. The article stresses caution, transparency, governance and inclusive public engagement around emerging...

blogs.edf.org
3
2
519
Canada can’t just sit on the sidelines regarding SRM research and governance. Ignoring SRM means others will make the decisions. Here’s an old op-ed Ted Parson and I wrote for the Globe & Mail that makes this point: davidkeith.earth/the-globe-a… (not our headline)

The Globe and Mail: Solar geoengineering – Science fiction – or saviour? - David Keith

At the time of this post, David Keith was a professor in Harvard's Schools of Engineering and of Public Policy, and founder at Carbon Engineering. Edward Parson is professor and co-director of the...

davidkeith.earth
3
3
2
564
Superb op-ed from Steven Pinker (@sapinker on X) calling out the right's absurd Harvard Derangement Syndrome. Harvard has some woke, but its peak has passed, and claims of many on the right are disconnected from the reality I saw as a faculty member. nytimes.com/2025/05/23/opini…
2
11
981
I appreciate the way Andreas has made a careful case for strong actions such as civil disobedience to protect humans and nature. Looking fwd having Andreas join us on Energy vs Climate this morning. (Feel free to join us live) energyvsclimate.com/youre-in…
1
3
527
Smart argument against a moratorium for deployment of sunlight reflection SRM, from Sue Biniaz (former top US climate negotiator) and @bodanskydm (environmental lawyer). justsecurity.org/113295/mora…

Why a Global “Moratorium” on Solar Radiation Management Deployment Should Get a Chilly Reception

A bottom-up norm-setting approach would rectify the concerns of agreeing to a global moratorium on solar radiation management deployment.

justsecurity.org
1
3
4
3,689
more replies
States can begin research programs while making it clear that deployment is premature. This allows for bottom-up norm setting and transparency without the risks of a negotiated moratorium.
1
1
360
See, the concluding section of the article, "If not a negotiated moratorium, then what?” for practical thinking on how governance can move forward without halting research progress.
1
349
Load more