They war-gamed dimming the Sun. It went even worse than you think.

Colleen Golja, a climate researcher, participated in a series of war games last September in London to address the potential development of a technology designed to cool the planet. The goal of these simulations was to prevent an uncontrolled global race to create this technology, which carries significant, uncertain risks that could alter life on Earth.

Golja expected the process to be straightforward, as she believed all parties could agree on ethical research that benefits all humans. However, she was quickly disillusioned by the complexity and unpredictability of the situation. The simulation, named Exploring Geopolitical Tipping Points and Climate Cooling Strategies, brought together a diverse group of international participants, including foreign relations experts, scientists, military personnel, and former government officials.

These individuals gathered at Queen Mary University of London to engage in a square-shaped meeting, representing various countries, climate organizations, NGOs, indigenous groups, and technology companies. Golja was tasked with offering technical guidance to ensure the participants made informed, science-based decisions.