Ensuring a Safe and Secure Planet
We need better information and new approaches for near-term Earth system risks, to ensure economic and global security and protect communities and natural lands.
Earth System Risk
Rising meteorological extremes pose risks to energy security, economic competitiveness and public safety.
Protecting the Atmosphere
Scientists have proposed methods to reduce heat and other risks in the atmosphere by reflecting sunlight from particles and clouds. Today we lack the scientific information and monitoring capabilities needed for the world to ensure our safety and security.
We are filling a critical gap in the response to Earth system changes.
OUR CHALLENGE
Changes in the atmosphere and increasing weather extremes threaten global security, economic stability, and the resilience of our communities and natural systems. Emerging interventions in weather and climate, alongside shifts in global pollution, underscore the urgent need for robust data, monitoring, and better science tools. Yet today, we lack the information and capabilities necessary to evaluate and manage influences on our atmosphere safely and effectively.
Featured
A Rapid Global Observing System for the Atmosphere
Leveraging commercial ships and aircraft in innovative public-private partnerships, we are rapidly scaling global observations of the atmosphere to support science and innovation for a safe and secure future.
Ensuring a safe and secure future for our communities and natural lands.
OUR MISSION
Ensuring a safe and secure atmosphere requires advancing independent science, transparent data, and effective decision-making. SilverLining is dedicated to building society’s capacity to understand and protect the atmosphere in a world with escalating efforts to influence weather and climate . We support open research, science-based policy, and broad stakeholder engagement to promote public safety, economic prosperity, and national security.
Featured
New Interactive Roadmap for Research
Escalating risks demand concerted efforts to better understand near-term Earth system changes and approaches to reducing warming directly by increasing the reflection of sunlight from the atmosphere. Our interactive roadmap is part of an evolving collaborative effort to chart a path to ensure a safe Earth system in time enough to matter.
Programs
SilverLining advances research, innovation and policy to promote a safe and secure Earth system.
Safe Earth System Research Initiative
Advancing open science and innovation for the safety, security and governance of the atmosphere and climate in a world of increasing extremes and active interventions.
Global Atmosphere Observations
Expanding critical atmospheric observations with instruments on existing ships and aircraft.
Stratospheric Aerosol Research
Improving understanding of stratospheric aerosol effects on the atmosphere and Earth system.
Cloud Aerosol Research
Studying how clouds respond to particles in the atmosphere and their cooling effects.
High-Altitude Balloon Observations
Navigable, high-altitude, long-duration balloons for stratospheric observations.
Cloud Computing
Partnering with cloud providers to expand cloud capacity and access for Earth system research.
U.S. Policy
Promoting a national research effort on Earth system risks and interventions.
International Policy
Promoting public sector investments, open science and international research cooperation.
Safe Earth System Research Initiative
Advancing open science and innovation for the safety, security and governance of the atmosphere and climate in a world of increasing extremes and active interventions.
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![United Airlines commercial airplane flying in the sky]()
Global Atmosphere Observations
Expanding critical atmospheric observations with instruments on existing ships and aircraft.
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![The United States Capitol building with a flag of the United States waving in the wind, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.]()
U.S. Policy
Promoting a national research effort on Earth system risks and interventions.
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![Two women sitting on stools on stage during a panel discussion or presentation, facing a large screen showing two men talking remotely. Behind them are logos for NCAR, Silver Lining, and AWS.]()
Cloud Computing
Partnering with cloud providers to expand cloud capacity and access for Earth system research.
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![Multiple international flags, including the United States flag, displayed on flagpoles outdoors in front of a city building.]()
International Policy
Promoting public sector investments, open science and international research cooperation.
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![View of Earth from space showing the blue atmosphere, cloud cover, and dark space above.]()
Stratospheric Aerosol Research
Improving understanding of stratospheric aerosol effects on the atmosphere and Earth system.
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Cloud Aerosol Research
Studying how clouds respond to particles in the atmosphere and their cooling effects.
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![Balloon floating in the stratosphere with a large white balloon, a small spacecraft, and a rectangular object, with the sun rising above the Earth’s horizon.]()
High-Altitude Balloon Observations
Navigable, high-altitude, long-duration balloons for stratospheric observations.
Featured
New Issue Brief with Atlantic Council
This issue brief, authored by the Atlantic Council and SilverLining, examines solar radiation modification (SRM) approaches and research needs, the potential risks and benefits of SRM as a near-term Earth system intervention, U.S. and international policy options for governance and decision-making and global security issues.
Recent Publications and Media
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![Graphic featuring the Silver Lining logo with the tagline 'Ensuring a safe and secure planet' on a black background, and the Fast Company logo with a light bulb icon and the caption 'Most Innovative Companies 2025' on a blue background.]()
SilverLining is one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025
News Article, Mar. 2025
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![A person flying a red and white weather balloon in a snowy field under a blue sky with clouds, with the text "The U.S. Is Building an Early Warning System to Detect Geoengineering" overlaid.]()
NYTimes: The U.S. Is Building an Early Warning System to Detect Geoengineering
News Article, Nov. 2024
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![Industrial scene with a barge carrying black material in front of a factory with tall smokestacks, some emitting smoke, during cloudy weather.]()
The Washington Post: We’ve been accidentally cooling the planet — and it’s about to stop
News Article, Jun. 2024
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![An observational satellite orpayload falls through the sky over Earth with a pink banner at the bottom reading "Stratospheric Aerosol Research (STAR) Program."]()
AGU Films: How SilverLining is Studying Stratospheric Aerosols
Video, Dec. 2024
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![A hot air balloon with a spherical white object attached underneath, floating high above the horizon during sunset or sunrise, with a BBC Panorama banner and the question 'Can Scientists Save the World?' at the bottom.]()
BBC Panorama featuring High-altitude Observing Platform Explorer (HOPE)
Video, Dec. 2024
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![View of Earth from space showing the curvature, clouds, and landmass below.]()
Issue Brief with Atlantic Council: Accelerating Earth System Intervention Research to Improve Global Security
Issue Brief, Oct. 2024
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![View of Earth from space showing clouds, the atmosphere, and stars in the background.]()
On World Ozone Day, there is HOPE: A new platform for observing the stratosphere
SilverLining Insights, Sept. 2024
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![Woman in a satin navy blue shirt speaking at a TED event, with a backdrop featuring a blue cloud and yellow lines, and the red TED logo in the top right corner.]()
Sarah Doherty: How aerosols brighten clouds — and cool the planet
TED Talk, Apr. 2024
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![A group of people attending a presentation with a large screen displaying a slide titled 'Cloud-Aerosol Cooling,' showing an image of Earth with cloud formations and ocean waves.]()
Aspen Ideas Festival: Sci-Fi or Reality? Talking Tomorrow’s Tech
Video, Jun. 2024
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![Futuristic illustration of rockets launching from Earth, emphasizing space activity and pollution.]()
New York Times: The New Space Race is Causing New Pollution Problems
News Article, Jan. 2024
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![A person holding a stylus and touching a digital sign that says 'BEWARE' with a purple and pink background and lens flare effects.]()
“Cooling credits” are not a viable Earth system solution
Publication, Jul. 2023
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![Illustration of the White House with the text 'The White House Washington' below it, set against a dark blue background.]()
White House: Congressionally-Mandated Report on SRM
Report, Jun. 2023
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![A woman standing on stage with a podium, giving a presentation at a TED event, with large red 'TED' letters in the background.]()
TED Talk: Emergency medicine for our Earth system fever
Video, Aug. 2019
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![Sunset over green rolling hills with a winding road]()
SilverLining Report: Near-term Earth System Risk & Intervention: A Roadmap for Research & International Cooperation
Report, Feb. 2023
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![Illustration of Earth with a focus on Europe and Africa, and the UN Environment Programme logo and text on a blue background.]()
One Atmosphere: an Independent Expert Review on Solar Radiation Modification Research and Deployment
United Nations Environment Programme Report, Feb. 2023
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![View of clouds from above under a clear blue sky.]()
AGU Films: University of Washington Marine Cloud Brightening Project
Video, Dec. 2021
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![A large storm cloud or dust cloud over a dark landscape with a sunset or sunrise in the background.]()
NYT: As Earth System Disasters Pile Up, a Radical Proposal Gains Traction
News Article, Oct. 2020
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![A sailboat floating on calm water in a fjord with steep, rocky slopes and snow-capped mountains in the background, under an overcast sky.]()
SilverLining Report: Ensuring a Safe Earth System
Report, Feb. 2019
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![Silhouette of two women walking on a road at sunset, wearing traditional conical hats, with large trees and mountains in the background.]()
C2ES Paper: Solar Climate Intervention: Options for international assessment and decision-making
Publication, Jul. 2020
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![Aerial view of icy ocean with floating icebergs and distant snow-capped mountains during sunset.]()
SilverLining White Paper: Solar Climate Intervention: The case for research
Publication, Oct. 2020
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![Three women sitting at a table, engaged in a discussion, each wearing a headset microphone. The woman on the right is speaking and gesturing with her hands, while the other two women listen attentively.]()
AWS On Air ft. Advancing Earth System Research with AI
Video, Jun. 2022
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![A graphic displaying the text '80,000 HOURS' with '80,000' in large blue numbers and 'HOURS' in smaller black letters.]()
80,000 Hours: Kelly Wanser on Whether to Intervene Directly in the Earth System
Podcast, Mar. 2021
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![Diagram comparing cloud and brightened cloud with a ship releasing sea salt aerosol droplets that form clouds through a process involving droplets being carried into a cloud by updraft, increasing droplet concentration and cloud reflectivity.]()
Seattle Times: UW studies a drastic way to cool a warming planet — cloud ‘brightening’
News Article, Apr. 2024
Funders and Partners
Highlighting some of SilverLining’s key partners and funders
Help with critical efforts on Earth system safety and security.
To ensure a safe Earth system for the future, SilverLining works to rapidly advance understanding of near-term risks and possible responses. We need your help.
To connect with us regarding a grant or donation, email development (at) silverlining.ngo
To mail a gift, send checks to: SilverLining, 500 N Capitol St. NW, Suite 210, Washington, DC 20001
“We are in a life-or-death struggle for our own safety today and our survival tomorrow.”
-U.N. Secretary- General Antonio Guterres
“It will be necessary to take temporary corrective measures almost surely including temporary purposeful use of aerosols to avoid catastrophic implications.”
Climate scientist and activist Jim Hansen
“All too frequently, solar climate intervention is discussed among those who will not live to see the worst impacts of climate change… We must move forward on research and dialogue on this topic with a sense of urgency.”
Youth Call to Action on Solar Climate Intervention
“The removal of air pollution, either through air quality measures or because combustion processes are phased out to get rid of CO2, will result in an increase in the resulting rate of warming,”
Joeri Rogelj, Director of Research, Grantham Institute, Imperial College London
