Solar Geoengineering Experiments Making Headlines--what are the benefits and risks?
Three news articles published in the same week explore the controversial science of geoengineering to mitigate global warming. These pieces look at the concept of altering the earth’s skies to better reflect solar heat before it is trapped in the atmosphere. The articles highlight a number of experiments underway or being considered.
On April 4, 2024 the MIT Technology Review ran this piece: The hard lessons of Harvard’s failed geoengineering experiment by James Temple which focuses on the scuttling of the first solar geoengineering experiment of releasing reflective particles into the stratosphere by high altitude balloon: https://www.technologyreview.com/2024/04/04/1090626/the-hard-lessons-of-harvards-failed-geoengineering-experiment/.
Another article, Climate engineering carries serious national security risks − countries facing extreme heat may try it anyway, and the world needs to be prepared, by Ben Kravitz and Tyler Felgenhauer published in The Conversation, further explores the potential unintended consequences of this emerging science: https://theconversation.com/climate-engineering-carries-serious-national-security-risks-countries-facing-extreme-heat-may-try-it-anyway-and-the-world-needs-to-be-prepared-222120
Finally, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story much closer to home: Bay Area hosts first-in-nation experiment to slow global warming — by helping clouds deflect sunlight by Anthony Edwards: https://www.sfchronicle.com/weather/article/geoengineering-cloud-research-alameda-19368199.php where small scale marine cloud brightening experiments in Alameda seed clouds with sea salt.