Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), a controversial method that could help defeat climate change and lower world temperatures, has been dismissed for years because scientists fear it would do more damage to the Earth than good. But now some scientists are saying that new research shows the method might actually be the answer to our prayers.
Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is a geoengineering technique that involves injecting reflective particles – like sulfur dioxide – into the stratosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth’s climate. SAI is one of several proposed methods of solar radiation management (SRM), which are intended to offset the effects of climate change.
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SAI works by scattering sunlight back into space before it can reach the Earth’s surface. This reduces the amount of solar energy that is absorbed by the Earth, which in turn leads to cooling. The reflective particles that are used in SAI can be either natural or artificial. Natural substances that have been proposed for SAI include sulfate aerosols, which are produced by volcanic eruptions. Artificial substances that have been proposed for SAI include calcium carbonate and alumina.
SAI is a controversial technology. Some scientists believe that it could be a viable way to mitigate climate change, while others are concerned about the potential risks. The risks of SAI include unintended consequences, such as changes in precipitation patterns or ozone depletion. There is also the risk that SAI could be used as a weapon.
UCLA environmental law professor Ted Parson told the Daily Beast that things have changed.
“All the current indications are that with this stuff you could cool the Earth by a degree Celsius within a couple of years for a cost of about $10 billion or $20 billion a year, and the side effects and harm based on earlier research look like they’re really pretty… small,” he said.
“All the current indications are that with this stuff (sulfur dioxide particles) you could cool the Earth by a degree Celsius within a couple of years for a cost of about $10 billion or $20 billion a year, and the side effects and harm based on earlier research look like they’re really pretty… small.”
But before you get too excited about stratospheric aerosol injection saving the world, remember that it will take years before any such solution could be implemented, if ever. And there will still be a need for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of carbon based fuels. Otherwise, we will just continue to destroy the environment.
