Solar geoengineering is the process of cooling the planet by reflecting sunlight. To do this, they propose to block the path of the rays by spraying chalk or various chemicals into the atmosphere. Also described is the option of spraying the Moon’s soil in space between the Earth and the Sun. However, all these suggestions cause a fierce reaction from the scientific world because of the unpredictable results that even powerful supercomputers cannot calculate.

not everyone is against

The problem with using solar geoengineering is that no one has researched it properly. Although this idea has existed since the 20th century, there are no exact data on its consequences. Some scientists say such actions could lead to irreversible, self-perpetuating processes that would not only cool the planet but lead to another ice age, even if atmospheric blasting was stopped.

Now A group of more than 60 scientists wrote an open letter calling for more large-scale research into solar geoengineering as a promising way to combat global warming.. They do not advocate solar geoengineering as the ultimate solution, or even as a solution. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is still an urgent need. However, they stress the need to properly understand all the pros and cons of blocking sunlight before it can be discarded entirely.

The letter describes several approaches to solar geoengineering:

• The first and most studied injection of stratospheric aerosolsreducing sunlight by releasing aerosols such as sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere.
• Another method known as sea ​​lighting cloudsIt aims to transform the clouds into giant solar reflectors by adding sea salt sprays that will increase their brightness.
• A similar method called dilution of cirrus cloudsshrinks some clouds to reduce the amount of warming infrared light they capture.

Why is it not enough to reduce emissions?

The 2015 Paris Agreement aims to keep warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, scientists claim that Even under the condition of “aggressive actions” to reduce emissions, this threshold will be exceeded “in the near future”.. The problem is the gases already released into the atmosphere and their very long dispersion time.

While emission reductions are critical, no amount of reduction currently implemented can reverse the warming effects of past and present greenhouse gas emissions.
– write scientists.

Solar geoengineering can reduce warming at a very rapid rate, which is what makes it so attractive. We can see this in part because polluting the atmosphere with aerosols offsets about a third of the climate warming caused by greenhouse gases. Without them, the situation would have been even worse.