UK scientists launch £50m government-funded programme to conduct large-scale outdoor climate experiment, aiming to provide critical data on solar geoengineering’s potential.
UK Scientists Launch Outdoor Geoengineering Experiments in £50m Government-Funded Programme
The ‘UK government has announced plans to launch outdoor geoengineering experiments as part of a £50m programme, with the aim of providing critical data on the potential of the technology.’ The experiments will be small-scale and rigorously assessed, according to Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), the UK government agency backing the plan.
Geoengineering involves large-scale technological interventions in the Earth's climate system.
Techniques include solar radiation management and carbon dioxide removal.
Solar radiation management methods, such as stratospheric aerosol injection, aim to reduce global temperatures by reflecting sunlight back into space.
Carbon capture and storage technologies focus on removing CO2 from the atmosphere or oceans.
Geoengineering is a contentious topic, with proponents arguing it can buy time for climate policies to take effect, while critics raise concerns about unintended consequences and governance issues.
The Controversy Surrounding Geoengineering
Geoengineering is a highly debated topic, with some scientists warning that it could have serious unintended consequences, such as shifting rains vital to food production. Solar radiation management (SRM) methods aim to block sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface, for example by launching clouds of reflective particles into the atmosphere or using seawater sprays to make clouds brighter.
Aiming to Avoid Climate Tipping Points
The looming threat of climate tipping points is a strong reason to research solar geoengineering. The triggering of these points could have catastrophic impacts, such as the collapse of vital ocean currents or giant ice sheets. Prof Mark Symes, leading the Aria programme, said that the current warming trajectory makes some tipping points distinctly possible over the next century.
Climate tipping points refer to critical thresholds in the Earth's climate system where small changes can trigger large and irreversible effects.
These include melting Arctic sea ice, Amazon rainforest die-off, and coral bleaching.
Research suggests that human activities, such as greenhouse gas emissions, are pushing the planet towards these tipping points.
Rising global temperatures, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events are all interconnected consequences of climate change.
Understanding these tipping points is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies and adapting to a changing climate.
Real-World Data Needed
Symes stated that a critical missing part of our understanding is real-world physical data. This would show whether any potential approaches to actively cool the world in a short timeframe would work and what their effects might be. Modelling and indoor studies are essential as prerequisites but can only tell us so much.
Environmental Impact and Community Consultation
Aria’s programme was recently called a ‘dangerous distraction’ from cutting emissions by senior scientists, who described SRM as ‘barking mad’ and akin to treating cancer with aspirin. However, Symes assured that no toxic substances would be released, an environmental impact assessment would be published before outdoor experiments, and local communities would be consulted.
Global Funding for Geoengineering
Global funding for geoengineering is relatively small compared to climate science overall, being in the low hundreds of millions of dollars. The US was previously the leading funder but President Donald Trump’s attack on climate research is expected to reduce this, potentially making the UK the leading funder.
- theguardian.com | UK scientists to launch outdoor geoengineering experiments
