Can We Keep 1.5°C Alive? 2023 Global Youth Summit on Near-term Climate Risk & Climate Interventions

On May 4, 2023, SilverLining’s Global Young Leaders Initiative (GYLI) hosted its Global Youth Summit on Near-term Climate Risk and Climate Interventions, uniting over 60 youth leaders, climate scientists, and global experts under the banner “Can We Keep 1.5°C Alive?” The summit featured a mix of keynote presentations, scientific deep dives, and intergenerational dialogues exploring solar climate intervention strategies such as stratospheric aerosol injection and marine cloud brightening. Experts including Prof. Jim Hurrell, Dr. Sarah Doherty, and Kelly Wanser emphasized that while these technologies are not substitutes for emissions reductions, urgent research is necessary to understand their risks, feasibility, and potential role in minimizing temperature overshoot.

The summit placed a strong focus on equity and youth leadership, highlighting the need for greater Global South participation in climate research. Young scientists and advocates from India, Pakistan, Ghana, Malawi, the Sahel, and Finland shared local experiences and called for investment in regional research, data access, and inclusive governance. From Operatio Arctis’ Arctic advocacy in Finland to youth-led dialogues in South Asia and Africa, the summit showcased youth as key actors in shaping a climate-safe future. Participants closed the event with a renewed sense of possibility and a collective call for informed, equitable, and science-based decision-making.