WATCH: John Kettley has slammed reports that Ed Miliband is to invest millions in experiments aimed at dimming the sun
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Solar radiation modification could be misused by 'hostile actors'
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Labour has admitted there are potential security risks from sun dimming technology that could be deployed by hostile actors.
However, experts suggested there could be a knock-on impact this could have on other countries, with more than 560 academics signing an open letter calling for an "international non-use agreement."
Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy said there were "risks and impacts" of the technology being used by hostile countries.
Clouds dimming the sun's energy
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Climate Minister Kerry McCarthy with Ed Miliband
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In a letter, the MP for Bristol East said: "The Government recognises the need to understand the risks and impacts of [solar radiation modification] approaches that could be deployed by an independent or third-party actor."
She emphasised that "robust scientific evidence is essential for informing responsible and inclusive governance" of such technologies.
McCarthy confirmed Labour's current position remains "not to deploy [solar radiation modification]".
However, concerns are mounting about the possibility of other nations or groups using sun dimming techniques without international agreement or oversight.
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Kerry McCarthy, Minister for Climate
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Security experts have warned that Russia could weaponise weather modification technology as part of its expanding hybrid warfare tactics.
Matt Ince, associate director at Dragonfly Intelligence, said Governments have long worried about countries unilaterally using sun dimming technology, but a new threat has emerged.
He told The Telegraph: "In a context where we've had, for example, Russia increasingly expanding its use of hybrid warfare activities, it's possible, not immediately, but down the line, that they may look to broaden and diversify the types of activities that they're conducting, to include more novel types of activity of which solar geoengineering may be one."
He noted the technology's "relative affordability and the feasibility of conducting it" make it attractive for hostile states.
Scientists have warned against the technology
PAThe technology would also offer "a relative degree of plausible deniability", according to Ince.
He drew parallels with existing Russian tactics, noting: "We've seen migration patterns being intentionally influenced by the Russian state as a way of trying to push more pressure onto European countries."
Ince warned that "some sort of intentionally orchestrated environmental disaster" is an "avenue that Russia may pursue".
This could range from "purposefully creating an oil spill within a busy shipping lane using Russia's shadow fleet" to more extreme scenarios.
He suggested Russia could "deliberately try to use solar geoengineering technologies in order to be able to destabilise the climate within a European state and in so doing, create chaos and a sense of discord, and force countries to become more inward focused."