# Inside the most sophisticated plan for solar geoengineering

- Show: [Catalyst](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst)
- Published: 2026-07-01
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering

## Summary

Yanai Yedvab, CEO and co-founder of Stardust Solutions, explains the company's proprietary solar radiation management (SRM) technology, which uses biodegradable amorphous silica and calcite particles instead of toxic sulfuric acid to cool the planet. Yedvab details the estimated cost of $100 million per million tons of particles and the 'clinical trial' approach to testing, emphasizing that deployment requires strict authorization from multiple governments to mitigate moral hazard and governance risks. The discussion covers the technical challenges of stratospheric injection, the potential for ozone layer depletion, and the ethical imperative of providing safe options alongside decarbonization efforts.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=8) Introduction: Solar Geoengineering and Stardust Solutions
- [4:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=248) Technology Overview: Silica and Calcite Particles
- [9:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=552) Effectiveness and Injection Strategy
- [15:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=950) Safety, Side Effects, and Testing Protocols
- [24:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=1471) Cost Estimates and Economic Context
- [27:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=1644) Governance and International Regulation
- [33:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=2035) Moral Hazard and Decarbonization Incentives
- [36:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-07-01-inside-the-most-sophisticated-plan-for-solar-geoengineering#t=2185) Why Stardust is a Private Company

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Stardust Solutions (company)
- Energy Impact Partners (company)
- Montreal Protocol (other)
- Kyoto Protocol (other)
- Moderna (company)
- BioNTech (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Stratospheric Mirrors from Aerosol Injections: Make Sunsets' Approach to Cooling Earth](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-03-13-stratospheric-mirrors-from-aerosol-injections-make-sunsets-approach-to-cooling-e) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Cooling Earth by Using Mirrors to Reflect Sunlight with Dr. Ye Tao, Founder and Executive Director of MEER](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-07-18-cooling-earth-by-using-mirrors-to-reflect-sunlight-with-dr-ye-tao-founder-and-ex) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [ICYMI... HIBT Lab! Climeworks: Jan Wurzbacher](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-03-30-icymi-hibt-lab-climeworks-jan-wurzbacher) (How I Built This)
- [25. Solar Sailing, Preventing Cyber Attacks, Space Trash Robot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-07-06-25-solar-sailing-preventing-cyber-attacks-space-trash-robot) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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