Cloud brightening: A controversial bid to combat climate change
Climate change is becoming an increasingly dangerous issue for our planet, with global warming being one of the primary contributors to this threat. The United States is working to address this problem by implementing innovative solutions, though some express concerns about the environmental impact of such research.
2 December 2024 10:32
Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas mainly cause the climate crisis. This process leads to significant carbon dioxide emissions entering the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect. This situation threatens biodiversity and ecosystem stability and results in more frequent and intense weather phenomena, such as heatwaves, hurricanes, and droughts, which negatively impact humanity and the economy.
According to a UN report in 2022, a rapid and substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary to avoid irreversible changes to the global climate. However, are there other ways to prevent this? A new, groundbreaking concept proposed by U.S. scientists may help protect the Earth.
Innovative experiment in the sky
Researchers from the University of Washington conducted an innovative experiment in the San Francisco Bay in Alameda, California. They focused on increasing cloud brightness, allowing more solar rays to be reflected into space. These actions could temporarily lower the Earth's temperature and reduce the effects of global warming.
This method, known as solar radiation modification or geoengineering, has sparked considerable controversy. Because of fears of opposition, the experiment organizers conducted their research secretly. The New York Times described the details of the experiment.
During the research, a device mounted on board the Hornet aircraft carrier sprayed aerosols of sea salt particles. This created new clouds that could reflect solar radiation, potentially mitigating the greenhouse effect.
The experiment's results require further analysis, which will take several months. Although the device may not be widely used to reduce temperatures, the data collected are valuable for understanding the interactions between pollutants and cloud formation.
Mixed reactions to the conducted experiment
The project received a range of responses, from interest to strong criticism. The White House officially distanced itself from this project, stating in a release to "The New York Times" that it is not involved in these activities.
"The U.S. government is not involved in the Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) experiment taking place in Alameda, CA, or anywhere else."
Solar geoengineering is a subject of heated debate among scientists and environmental activists. David Santillo from Greenpeace International is skeptical of marine cloud brightening and warns against unpredictable consequences.
"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."
Similarly, Karen Orenstein from Friends of the Earth US warns that geoengineering is a risky experiment and that the focus should be on moving away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.
Sarah Doherty from the University of Washington emphasizes that testing new technologies is crucial, but we must also be aware of their potential negative impacts.
It is essential to investigate potential side effects, including shifts in ocean circulation and temperature that may impact fisheries and variations in precipitation patterns.
