CLIMATEWIRE | A futuristic geoengineering proposal might be easier to accomplish in the real world than scientists previously thought.
New research suggests that a planet-cooling strategy known as solar radiation management is already possible with existing commercial airplanes. Until now, many experts suggested the technology probably would require specialized high-altitude aircraft. And assembling a large enough fleet of these machines could take a decade or more.
The new study, published Monday in the scientific journal Earth’s Future, makes the case that solar geoengineering — currently a hypothetical strategy — could overcome the vehicle hurdle without a major technological leap.
On supporting science journalism
If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
But the concept remains deeply controversial among both scientists and climate activists. And the new study’s authors cautioned the strategy needs more study before world leaders move forward.
“We need to know more, we need to do more research,” said lead study author Alistair Duffey, a Ph.D. student at University College London, in an interview with POLITICO’s E&E News. “There are huge risks and huge uncertainties that require a concerted effort from the research community to tackle before it would make sense to have any kind of opinion about doing this in the real world.”
Most climate experts agree that solar geoengineering is not a substitute for reducing emissions, he added. Phasing out fossil fuels and curbing greenhouse gases remain the primary strategies for tackling climate change.
Even so, solar geoengineering is gaining global attention — from both advocates and critics — as Earth’s temperatures continue to rise.
World leaders so far have failed to curb greenhouse gases at the speed…
Read the full article here