A big concern

[Buckman]

Initially I thought it was an April Fool joke, but a Google shows that it is a big concern for planet earth. Apparently, some scientists have the crazy notion of dimming the sun by aerosol injection
The most common proposed method involves injecting tiny reflective particles, like sulfur, into the stratosphere using high-flying aircraft or balloons. These particles would reflect a portion of the sun's rays back into space, reducing the amount of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface. By reducing incoming solar radiation, the planet's temperature would decrease, potentially mitigating some of the effects of climate change.

The opinion is that this could cause changes in rainfall patterns, damage to the ozone layer and disruptions to global climate systems. Some argue that solar geoengineering raises ethical questions about who decides to implement it and who bears the potential risks. Either way, when mankind interferes with nature, the consequences can be disastrous!

If unsure, Google "Scientists want to dim the sun". A frightening experiment in my opinion.

 

[Mel]

Anyone watched the Snowpiercer TV series?Fiction but exactly the scenario Buckman envisages.
Hopefully too crackpot and expensive to ever proceed.
Mel

 

[otherclive]

A frightening concept, not dissimilar to burning fossil fuels which it’s trying to combat.

 

[Buckman]

If they "dim" the sun, will solar panels still be as effective?

 

[GaryB]

I marvel at science, I really do, history shows some of the radical concepts that have become accepted into everyday life. Unfortunately the side-effects of some of these concepts only get found out several years down the line. I just hope that any funding needed to research this kind of stuff is pretty much limitless, my career in an engineer Research and Development management position really has shown how insufficient funding really can bite you further down the line....

 

[IanB1485]

High altitude ice crystals ( cirrus stratos I think) do the same thing, also If elon musk gets his way with the starlink program there will be enough high altitude (low orbit) telecomms satellites ( and bits) in orbit to dim the sun

 

[Buckman]

The other concern is that the UK is falling over itself to promote the idea and it seems without any consultation! Surely as inhabitants of the earth we should be given the opportunity to voice our concerns? If it goes wrong we are the ones that will suffer the consequences.

 

[otherclive]

Jet fuel contains sulphur so why not just keep on flying as the carbon dioxide emitted might be countered by the effects of the jets emissions. Nett result: nil warming. Bingo.

 

[Buckman]

Jet fuel contains sulphur so why not just keep on flying as the carbon dioxide emitted might be countered by the effects of the jets emissions. Nett result: nil warming. Bingo.

That is too simple for them to understand!

 

[ProfJohnL]

I agree Stratospheric Aerosol Injection or SAI is a thought provoking concept, and one that tis not new. I recall a similar scheme was exposed where the idea of SAI was part of a military weapon to deprive some countries or regions of sun light to prevent crops from growing.

We have enough trouble predicting weather conditions due to chaotic activities or multi layer air flows in the atmosphere, so there would inevitably be similar uncertainties about how SAI would spread around the globe.

 

[Buckman]

I agree Stratospheric Aerosol Injection or SAI is a thought provoking concept, and one that tis not new. I recall a similar scheme was exposed where the idea of SAI was part of a military weapon to deprive some countries or regions of sun light to prevent crops from growing.

We have enough trouble predicting weather conditions due to chaotic activities or multi layer air flows in the atmosphere, so there would inevitably be similar uncertainties about how SAI would spread around the globe.

Agree, but the UK is pushing ahead with it according to reports and it may be finalised later this month?

 

[otherclive]

Agree, but the UK is pushing ahead with it according to reports and it may be finalised later this month?

The UK trials are quite limited in their scope and really are only pilot trails. There are also others around the world so I'd expect the various trial bodies to come together at some stage to discuss results and assess the scope for further work, or not as the case may be.

 

[toad a caravan]

Hard luck for manufacturers of sunglasses..😎

 

[Dustydog]

I bet there are some serious downsides.

There could be unintended consequences to using such an untested artificial change to nature. Maybe the ecological impacts such as ocean acidification will have a negative effect on ocean life.
What happens if these particles fall to earth or and we breathe them in? Back to the Woodbines.