Why do some scientists want to “dark” the Sun
Why do some scientists want to “dark” the Sun, while others sound the alarm
An open letter was published from 46 scientists and experts in which they said that the idea of ”darkening” the Sun to combat climate change is very dangerous, as it could damage crops and cause the Amazon to dry out. Hi-Tech is investigating how the idea to reduce solar radiation came about and what risks this may entail.
Spraying an aerosol that reflects light, or creating special reflectors that block some of the solar radiation, is not science fiction, but real projects in the field of solar geoengineering.
How do scientists want to manage solar radiation?
Adherents of the idea of solar geoengineering propose to reflect part of the solar energy back into space in order to reduce the temperature of the Earth and prevent climate change. The idea is that the temperature of our planet is rising due to an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases that absorb energy.
In April 2019, the book Climate Engineering and the Law was published in the United States, edited by renowned climate regulation expert Michael Gerrard. In it, he noted that there are “passive” techniques for influencing the climate, such as capturing carbon dioxide. Such approaches are relatively safe, as they will not have global consequences. But projects in the field of solar geoengineering and other global ideas need to be specifically regulated, he noted.
There are three methods by which they want to “darken” the Sun
• Increase the reflectivity of clouds or the Earth’s surface to reflect more heat into space.
• Create cosmic reflectors that will block some of the light before it reaches Earth.
• Spray stratospheric aerosol to reflect sunlight before it hits the Earth.
Adherents of the idea of solar geoengineering propose to reflect part of the solar energy back into space in order to reduce the temperature of the Earth and prevent climate change. The idea is that the temperature of our planet is rising due to an increase in the amount of greenhouse gases that absorb energy.
Is solar geoengineering safe or dangerous?
• Short-term consequences:
So far, there is no definitive answer to this question. If you change the reflectivity of the atmosphere, then, according to scientists, there is a risk of global climate imbalance. This means that in one part of the planet the situation will get better, but in another it will worsen radically, for example, the distribution of monsoons will change or drought will worsen in Africa and Asia. If this happens, then about 2 million people could be left without food and water.
• Long term effects:
It is also unknown how, over time, the climate will react to the consequences of solar geoengineering. In the event that the distribution of the reflective aerosol stops, a “termination shock” can occur. The researchers found that if this happens, then the global temperature can increase dramatically, and this will lead to massive death of ecosystems.
In addition, solar geoengineering will not help us solve the problem of global warming, but, at best, put it on pause, since the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will not change.
Are there real examples and projects on solar geoengineering?
• Cloud brightening:
Yes, one of the most popular projects with the United States is the “lightening” of sea clouds. The bottom line is that the brightest white clouds reflect more sunlight back into space. Therefore, the researchers proposed seeding the clouds with sea salt and other substances. Special technologies are being developed to spray and send seawater particles into the sky.
• Project of Bill Gates with a balloon and an aerosol can:
An experiment aimed at combating global warming will be conducted by specialists from Harvard University. To use for this they are going to a balloon and an aerosol can. Microsoft founder Bill Gates will financially support the project.
The researchers plan to launch meteorological balloons that release small particles of calcium carbonate into the stratosphere. These fragments, the authors suggest, will reflect the sun’s rays, sending them back into space. All this should reduce the average temperature of water and air. Based on the results of each stage, it is proposed to carry out special checks by appointed independent commissions in order to make sure that the technology does not harm the atmosphere.
All this should reduce the average temperature of water and air. Based on the results of each stage, it is proposed to carry out special checks by appointed independent commissions in order to make sure that the technology does not harm the atmosphere.
Why doesn’t everyone support solar geoenergy?
Geoengineering is already being controlled at the global level: in 2010, the ban on geoengineering projects was adopted by the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and since then it has been updated every two years. True, this is not a treaty or a protocol, but only a decision – a document of a lower level.
However, there are still many loopholes in international law that could potentially be exploited. Therefore, opponents of geoengineering are turning to the world scientific community. At the end of January 2022, a group of 46 scientists and management experts created an open letter explaining why, in their opinion, such technologies are extremely dangerous.
The authors noted that the risks of solar geoengineering are not yet well understood and may never be fully known. The impact of solar geoengineering will vary by region, and there is uncertainty about the impact on weather patterns, agriculture, and the provision of basic food and water needs.
It is not yet known whether geoengineering will become a salvation in the future, but it is definitely not worth resorting to such measures just because humanity has no other choice. Geoengineering methods require more independent and well-controlled research so that researchers can better weigh the benefits of their application against the risks that humanity takes on by interfering with the Earth’s climate.
