What are scientists planning?

One experiment involves pouring water onto the surface of a snowy desert, where it freezes to form a protective layer of ice over arctic snow. In another, scientists prevent warming and melting by scattering reflective glass beads on the snow to reflect the harsh rays of the sun.

These are all forms of geoengineering, methods of shaping certain aspects of the environment to compensate for the damage caused by climate change. The fact that we take these experiments seriously means that mass mitigation efforts are not enough. Last year was the hottest year ever recorded in the Arctic.

In a video published in the WSJ, a Dutch startup called Arctic Reflections demonstrates the intricacies of its own experiment: pouring seawater into “strategically selected locations in the Arctic Sea” to “regenerate Arctic ice as a heat shield by thickening the ice in winter.”

The Dutch experience of building rinks for ice skating marathons was an inspiration for us.
Fonger Ipma, CEO of Arctic Reflections, said:

Ypma was referring to the IJsmeesters, or Dutch ice masters, who flooded fields to make ice rinks. The idea is that, inspired by these masters, humans can create a protective ice shell that will further thicken and support the Arctic until other technologies reduce global carbon emissions. “Ice can become regenerative,” adds Ipma.

It is not clear how effective this will be, but the result may be acceptable, especially in terms of the effort involved in relation to the reflection of sunlight. This is far from a new idea, and many scientists oppose this method. The thing is that the light does not reach the sensitive snow cover, it is reflected back into space.

Various methods are proposed to achieve this at different times and using different methods: spraying special chemicals or chalk into the atmosphere, painting buildings with special white paint, installing mirrors, etc. Many believe that such actions are unpredictable and could even lead to global cooling.

Watch a brief presentation of efforts to freeze the Arctic: video