Sun's rays deflection test marks a climate change mitigation milestone
Scientists conducted the first outdoor test in the U.S. of a technology aimed at brightening clouds to reflect sunlight away from the Earth.
Christopher Flavelle reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- The experiment took place on a decommissioned aircraft carrier in San Francisco Bay, testing a machine designed to spray salt aerosols into the atmosphere.
- This initiative is part of broader research into climate intervention strategies as traditional efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions fall short.
- Critics express concerns over the unpredictable consequences of manipulating natural systems on such a scale.
Key quote:
“You could well be changing climatic patterns, not just over the sea, but over land as well. This is a scary vision of the future that we should try and avoid at all costs.”
— David Santillo, senior scientist at Greenpeace International
Why this matters:
Solar geoengineering aims to decrease the amount of solar energy that reaches the Earth's surface, thereby cooling the planet. This method does not address the root cause of climate change—such as greenhouse gas emissions—but rather seeks to temporarily lessen its symptoms.
Ideas to dim the sun 'ignore the root cause' of the climate crisis – and create a cascade of unintended problems, scientists and activists say.
