2025 Funder Summit
Frontier Research to
Manage Climate Risks
All presentation slides can be found in this folder and in the links below.
Catastrophic Climate Risks and the Case for Prevention
Speaker: Dr. Joshua Elliott
With warming now on track for 2.5 or 3°C, we'll review potential catastrophic and irreversible climate impacts across ice, oceans, the biosphere, and atmosphere, and their consequences for societies. We’ll explore why traditional carbon management and adaptation models can’t fully address these risks - and how research into targeted interventions could expand our options for a safe and equitable climate future.
The Warming Feeds the Warming
Speaker: Dr. Phil Duffy
Two observed climate trends suggest that future climate warming may be greater than commonly expected. First, reductions in low cloud cover over the past ~15 years are accelerating warming by reflecting less sunlight into space. Second, GHG emissions from tropical wetlands, permafrost, and forests are increasing. We will discuss what we know and don’t know about these trends and other self-reinforcing mechanisms in climate change, as well as possible implications for future warming levels.
Sunlight Reflection Methods (SRM)
Speaker: Dr. David Keith
An introduction to sunlight reflection approaches, with a focus on stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI). We’ll review the science, key uncertainties, and governance considerations necessary for responsible evaluation of SRM, and discuss the research required to inform future decision-making.
Super Pollutants
Speaker: Erika Reinhardt
A deep dive into the role of super pollutants such as methane and other short-lived climate pollutants in current and projected warming. This session will highlight emerging abatement and removal strategies, and identify promising areas for further research and innovation.
Catastrophic Sea Level Rise (SLR) & Glacier Stabilization
Speaker: Dr. Brent Minchew
This session explores the threat of glacial-driven sea level rise, including the latest science, advances in forecasting, and potential intervention pathways to slow sea level rise by stabilizing glaciers. We examine what’s at stake for communities and ecosystems worldwide, and where research is urgently needed to reduce potential catastrophic near-term risks.
Open-System Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)
Speakers: Dr. Antonius Gagern & Dai Ellis
An exploration of open-system CDR pathways that can durably remove CO₂ from the atmosphere at scale through deployment in ecosystems like oceans, rivers, and soils. We’ll examine potential benefits, risks, and the field-building priorities needed to advance these approaches responsibly.
Getting to Government Research Leadership
Speakers: Ricken Patel & Tom Pravda
This session will examine the politics, policy, and coordination needed for governments to lead in frontier climate research. We’ll discuss strategies to unlock public funding, develop policy and regulatory frameworks, and strengthen global collaboration.