Controversial methods to cool earth by reflecting sunlight gain traction as global temperatures rise

The planet has been experiencing a relentless stretch of record-breaking global temperatures with the rate and impact of climate change accelerating, according to the World Meteorological Organization.

As the impacts of human-amplified climate change intensify and become more severe, relatively untouched ideas are gaining momentum as potential short-term solutions to lower Earth’s temperature.

Solar radiation modification, or solar geoengineering, is a concept that covers several different technologies or approaches to essentially reflect sunlight back into space to manipulate the planet’s temperature.

In 2023, the White House published a report laying out a plan to conduct more research on two approaches to solar radiation modification, saying that it’s important to better understand the risks and benefits of both technologies.

But solar geoengineering is a controversial topic among scientists, politicians, and the communities concerned about the possible impacts.

While some experts have been researching techniques that could cool the planet for decades, there have been very few experiments in the field and critics argue we don’t know enough about potential impacts on weather and climate events, water cycles, or food production.

R&i – TP

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Article URL : https://abcnews.go.com/US/controversial-methods-cool-earth-gain-traction-global-temperatures/story?id=109349797