The UK government is poised to approve £50 million in funding for pioneering research aimed at developing methods to reduce the sun’s brightness as part of efforts to combat climate change. Scientists at the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria) are leading investigations into various geo-engineering techniques that could potentially cool the planet by partially deflecting sunlight before it reaches the Earth's surface.
One of the key proposals involves spraying aerosolised particles into the Earth’s stratosphere. This approach is inspired by natural volcanic eruptions that release particles into the atmosphere, which have historically led to temporary global cooling. By mimicking this effect, scientists believe it may be possible to reflect a portion of the sun’s energy back into space, thus “turning down” the brightness of the sun. According to experts, this method could provide a relatively inexpensive means to lower global temperatures.
In addition to this, other techniques under consideration include marine cloud brightening, which entails spraying sea salt into the atmosphere to increase the reflectivity of clouds, making them whiter and consequently more effective at deflecting solar radiation. Another approach involves thinning cirrus clouds, which are known to trap heat in the atmosphere like blankets. By reducing these clouds, it may be possible to allow more heat to escape into space, adding another dimension to cooling strategies.
Prof Mark Symes, the programme director for Aria and the lead scientist heading the geo-engineering project, explained that the research could encompass "small controlled outdoor experiments on particular approaches." He emphasised that Aria’s mission is to invest in ideas at the forefront of scientific possibility, seeking to “unlock scientific and technological breakthroughs that benefit everyone.”
While the scientific community is optimistic about these proposals, the plans have attracted criticism. Some experts warn that artificially cooling the sun could have unintended consequences, including disruption of global weather patterns. Others express concern that focusing on geo-engineering solutions might reduce political and public motivation to address carbon emissions, which are widely accepted as the root cause of climate change.
To contextualise the urgency behind this research, recent data from the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) shows that January 2025 was the hottest January on record globally. The average global air temperature reached 13.23°C (55.81°F), which is 0.79°C (1.42°F) above the 1991-2020 January average and slightly warmer than the previous hottest January in 2024, measured at 13.14°C (55.65°F).
The quantity of solar energy reaching Earth is immense, with the sun's total power output being approximately 3.8 x 10^26 watts. Earth receives around 342 watts per square meter on average, a critical driver of the planet’s climate and ecosystems. The current research into geo-engineering methods aims to modulate this energy to counteract human-induced warming.
The Daily Star is reporting on these developments as the UK moves forward with what could be a groundbreaking and controversial approach to addressing global warming by modifying the Earth’s exposure to solar radiation.
Source: Noah Wire Services