Once regarded as a universal æther impregnated with myth and imbued with astrological significance, the sky now bears the burden of heat-trapping gasses and erratic weather. These atmospheric alterations pose a formidable threat to the planet’s ecosystem, endangering the very breath of life for a vast amount of living beings. In these critical times, recent attention has turned to new geotechnologies, including solar geoengineering that artificially reconditions the stratosphere by mitigating solar radiation. However, our climate issues are not simply meteorological problems with technical solutions but are entwined with socio-political and economic challenges requiring us to fundamentally see the world reimagined. As always, developing new technologies is not a solution in itself; ethical governance and social awareness is just as essential. In the endeavor to rectify our original Promethean transgression, it becomes essential to consider both the indispensable possibilities as well as the risks of returning fire back to the sun.

The symposium–running all day on Nov 8–begins the evening of Nov 7 with double keynote presentations and a conversation between Holly Jean Buck and David Keith to establish the socio-political and technical dimensions of solar geoengineering. A parallel exhibition under the same title runs from Oct 2–Dec 21 presenting artistic perspectives on solar politics and shifting planetary ecologies.

Organized by Ala Roushan and Charles Stankievech as a joint event between OCAD University and the University of Toronto with support from Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).