Conservation Voters New Mexico Statement of Principles Solar Radiation Modification
Preamble
As New Mexico’s leading state‐level climate advocacy organization, CVNM believes in a just, equitable, and resilient transition away from fossil fuels toward a clean-energy future that protects our air, land, water, wildlife, and communities. Our vision is for New Mexicans to thrive in just, resilient communities where our conservation and cultural values guide our decision-makers and public policies.
In that spirit, we recognise that solar radiation modification (SRM), also referred to as solar geoengineering, is an emerging field of inquiry that raises profound questions of science, ethics, justice, governance, and democracy. We therefore adopt this internal Statement of Principles to guide our internal deliberations and set a foundation for any potential future external engagement. This statement does not constitute a decision to endorse or deploy SRM technologies; rather it affirms a framework grounded in our values to ensure that if and when we engage, we do so thoughtfully, responsibly, and aligned with our mission.
Core Beliefs
- Emissions reductions remain paramount.
SRM cannot replace the urgent imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, deploy clean energy, invest in adaptation, and strengthen climate resilience. We believe that a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels must remain the foundation of any climate strategy.
- Climate justice is imperative.
We view any consideration of SRM through the lens of justice—especially the rights and interests of frontline, Indigenous, rural, low-income, and historically marginalized communities in New Mexico and beyond. Those who have contributed least to climate change and who are the most vulnerable to its impacts must not shoulder disproportionate risks.
- Uncertainty and risk are real.
SRM technologies carry significant scientific, environmental, social, and governance uncertainties. We acknowledge that intervening in the Earth’s systems could generate unintended, irreversible, or unevenly distributed harms. We urge caution in any potential future engagement.
- Governance, transparency, and democratic decision-making matter.
Any exploration of SRM must be anchored in inclusive, transparent, accountable governance processes that recognize the rights of communities, nations, and ecosystems. We affirm that decisions about SRM cannot be made behind closed doors or purely by experts, corporations, or governments without meaningful public input and equitable participation.
- Serving the public good, not private profit.
SRM research or deployment should not become a profit-driven enterprise that magnifies power imbalances, erodes trust, or distracts from proven climate solutions. Private interests must not set the agenda.
- Precaution, transparency, and participation should guide the process.
We affirm the principle that science alone is insufficient; process matters. This means prioritizing transparent research, open data, meaningful community perspectives, and inclusive deliberation—and resisting shortcuts, hype, or fear-driven deployment.
- Regional context matters.
New Mexico has unique cultural, ecological, hydrological, social, and justice contexts. We affirm the importance of understanding SRM implications locally, especially for Indigenous and rural communities, and ensuring that any discussion or potential action reflects these regional realities.
- Iterative learning, humility, and responsiveness.
We do not presume to have all the answers now. We commit to an iterative process of learning, revisiting assumptions, refining positions, and remaining open to new information and evolving circumstances.
Internal Principles for CVNM Engagement
Given our organizational role and values, and in recognition of the complexity of SRM, CVNM affirms the following internal engagement principles:
- We will remain outcome-neutral at this stage, focusing first on internal deliberation and principle development rather than advocating for a particular SRM research path or deployment.
- We will systematically research and convene staff, board, and partner discussions on SRM to build knowledge, clarify values, and assess implications for New Mexico.
- We will ensure that Indigenous, rural, and frontline community perspectives in New Mexico are explicitly centered in our deliberations before any external stance is taken.
- We will track ongoing scientific research, governance developments, ethical frameworks, and global/regional SRM policy trends—seeking to understand both potentials and risks.
- We will resist any framing of SRM as a “quick fix” or substitute for emissions reductions and clean-energy investment; our primary mandates remain mitigation, adaptation, resilience, environmental justice, and democratic power building.
- Should CVNM move toward an external position, we commit to transparent communication of our reasoning, the incorporation of public and stakeholder dialogue, and to holding public officials and institutions accountable for inclusive governance of any SRM research or deployment.
- We will maintain independence and rigor in assessing SRM proposals, including questioning the roles of private finance, corporate actors, profit motives, and power imbalances.
- We will treat our statement of principles as a living document — revisiting, updating, and refining it as new science, governance experiences, community input, and policy landscapes emerge.
Affirmation
By adopting this Statement of Principles, CVNM acknowledges the urgency and seriousness of the climate crisis in New Mexico and globally. We commit to engaging in SRM with the same values we bring to all our work: justice, transparency, inclusive democracy, protecting our environment and communities, and advancing the transformation we know is necessary. Our foundational commitment remains a just, swift transition away from fossil fuels toward clean energy, healthy communities, and a thriving Land of Enchantment. This statement guides our internal work today so that we are prepared rigorously, thoughtfully, and values-driven for whatever role SRM may play (or not) in the future.
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CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, water, wildlife and communities for a healthy Land of Enchantment. CVNM does this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies.