Scientist proposes dimming the Sun to beat climate change

Peter Irvine, an Earth Science Lecturer at the University College London, proposed dimming the Sun to beat global warming. He believes we will fail to meet our climate goals, but he also observed that powerful volcanic eruptions cool global temperatures for a few years. Consequently, he thinks we should block sunlight by releasing particles in the sky.

Our world temperature rose by 2°C last year, showing that countries have failed to meet climate targets. Despite numerous global meetings, the Earth only gets hotter. Our existing methods aren’t working, so Irvine proposes mimicking the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions. Could it be an effective solution?

This article will discuss the radical proposal to block sunlight by spreading particles in high altitudes. Later, I will elaborate on recent developments in climate change.

How dimming the Sun could beat climate change

The Earth Science expert cited powerful volcanic eruptions from the Philippines’ Mt. Pinatubo and Indonesia’s Mt. Tambora as an example of his unusual solution. He said these phenomena spread microscopic particles in the upper atmosphere that last several years.

Similarly, we could copy this effect by deploying jets to release reflective particles into the upper atmosphere. He cited environmental research from IOPScience as evidence.

Dimming the Sun wouldn’t perfectly undo climate change. However, we could place an even cooling effect worldwide by choosing where we release particles. 

Peter Irvine says this approach could significantly reduce climate risks. Otherwise, they would likely worsen over time. For example, he says several species are migrating to the Earth’s poles for lower temperatures.

Global temperatures are also breaching the human body’s threshold, risking the lives of outdoor workers. Moreover, warmer air draws more moisture from the soil during dry spells and dumps more in rain.

In other words, climate change is worsening droughts and floods worldwide. Irvine believes dimming the Sun could offset this effect. 

He also believes blocking sunlight could keep our frigid regions frozen. That could prevent rising sea levels and the leaking of methane from permafrost.

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The UCL expert admits his proposal won’t prevent greenhouse gas buildup. It will not stop people from releasing carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

Releasing sky particles could also make the sky slightly whiter. Moreover, mimicking volcanic eruptions by releasing sulphate particles could exacerbate acid rain worldwide.

Adding atmospheric particles could also slow our ozone layer’s recovery. Nevertheless, he said on The Conversation that climate change’s overwhelming risks outweigh these side effects.

How detrimental is climate change?

Releasing particles in the sky to block sunlight may seem outrageous to most. However, you might understand its intent once you realize the extent of global warming.

As mentioned, climate change makes the planet too hot for humans to survive. Specifically, researchers warn global temperatures may increase from 1.5°C to 4°C or 34.7°F to 39.2°F.

They looked at previous temperature increases to predict how much higher it could be. They said extreme global warming started during the Industrial Revolution.

Worldwide adoption of heavy machinery and factories burned unprecedented amounts of fossil fuels. That increased activity caused global temperatures to rise by almost 1°C or 1.8°F.

In 2015, it prompted 196 countries to sign the Paris Agreement, which aimed to prevent global heat from reaching the 1.5°C threshold. The worst-case scenario of rising temperatures involves an increase of 1.5°C to 4°C.

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A Penn State study from last year said the ambient wet-bulb temperature limit for young, healthy people is roughly 31°C or 87.8°F at 100% humidity.

Meanwhile, only the Middle East and Southeast Asia have recorded temperatures and humidity that surpass human limits. Raising global heat by 2°C above preindustrial levels would expose the following populations to unbearable temperatures:

• 2.2 billion Pakistanis and Indians in the Indus River Valley
• A billion people in eastern China
• 800 million people in sub-Saharan Africa
• Most lower-to-middle-income areas may lack access to air conditioning and similar systems. As a result, they are unlikely to manage the extreme heat.

Conclusion

Earth Science Lecturer Peter Irvine says we should spread atmospheric particles to dim the Sun. It is a radical solution but might be the only effective one.

After all, our existing methods haven’t stopped or slowed global warming. Still, we must carefully assess its unintended consequences and confirm we can mitigate them.

Nevertheless, we must find ways to ensure future generations can continue living on our planet safely. Learn more about the latest digital tips at Inquirer Tech.