Climate change has become one of the major concerns across the globe. And to combat it, there’s no shortage of ideas as well. We’ve seen the likes of carbon capture machines covering glaciers with giant blankets. Now, a team of atmospheric scientists is planning to create whiter clouds that reflect more sunlight to lower the temperature of our planet.
The project, first reported by Interesting Engineering, works on a theoretical method of geoengineering called “marine cloud brightening.” The process is pretty straightforward: bright clouds reflect more sunlight away from Earth into space – so if more white clouds are made, it’s possible to cool down the planet.
Making clouds brighter could work
With that aim in mind, the team including researchers from the University of Washington, the Palo Alto Research Center, and the Pacific Northwest National Library is creating an initiative they refer to as the Marine Cloud Brightening (MCB) Project.
It’s an “open, international collaboration of atmospheric scientists” researching the potential of using marine cloud brightening to reduce the temperature of our planet, as per a University of Washington blog post.
The MCB Project includes a three-phase research process that focuses on developing spray technology to send microscopic particles of seawater into the skies that will make low-lying clouds brighter. Each phase will undergo review by “independent authorities,” states the fact sheet about the research, to make sure that the technology doesn’t inadvertently cause adverse effects to the atmosphere.
Geoengineering not a permanent solution
If the project is successful, the team believes that cloud brightening could cool the atmosphere enough to buy more time to save Earth from climate change. Overall, it’s an ambitious plan, however, it’s imperative to understand that this is a temporary solution and that geoengineering of any kind can face battle with scientific communities.
Similarly, Climeworks announced that its Orca direct air capture and CO2 storage has finally started operation. It is the world’s largest facility built to remove carbon dioxide from the air permanently. Construction of the facility started in May last year and it features advanced molecular technology with stackable collector units.
