Scientists have issued a warning against the artificial reduction of sunlight, citing the risks of solar geoengineering as too great. They are calling for an international agreement to ban experiments in this area. Solar geoengineering has been a topic of discussion in the scientific community for some time, with methods being explored to artificially reduce sunlight in order to limit global warming. However, experiments such as releasing calcium carbonate particles into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight are controversial due to the difficulty in predicting their risks. In a letter published in the journal WIREs Climate Change, scientists are warning against the artificial reduction of global sunlight, stating that such an intervention cannot be regulated in a fair, integrative, and effective manner. They are calling on the United Nations and national governments to stop the normalization of solar geoengineering through appropriate rules.
The term “solar geoengineering” encompasses various methods to reduce the intensity of sunlight in order to limit climate change. One such method is the introduction of sulfur to create tiny particles in the atmosphere that reflect sunlight back into space. While such technological measures could theoretically stop global warming, their risks are significant. For example, the artificial reduction of radiation could lead to a disruption of monsoon rains in South Asia and West Africa, destroying local agriculture and leaving hundreds of millions of people without food. Additionally, the World Climate Council warns that solar geoengineering could lead to drought in the Amazon region. Furthermore, it is unclear what would happen if the artificial introduction of particles into the Earth’s atmosphere were to end. This could lead to a sudden increase in surface temperatures. The accumulation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could also not be stopped by solar geoengineering.
The signatories of the letter warn that solar geoengineering does not address the root causes of climate change, but only distracts from its effects. They argue that sustainable economic practices are the only way to truly combat climate change. Solar geoengineering could lead to governments, companies, and society not doing their utmost to achieve decarbonization or carbon neutrality as quickly as possible. Ultimately, the signatories are calling for an international agreement to ban such projects, including the financing of experiments in geoengineering and patents in this area.
