UK Nears Approval of Controversial Sun-Dimming Geoengineering Experiments
The UK government is poised to approve groundbreaking—and contentious—experiments in solar geoengineering, a method designed to combat global warming by artificially dimming sunlight.
The £50 million ($66.5 million) program, led by the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), could begin within weeks, marking one of the first state-backed efforts to test Solar Radiation Management (SRM).
With scientists warning of irreversible climate “tipping points”—like the collapse of ocean currents and polar ice sheets—geoengineering offers a potential stopgap.
SRM works by injecting aerosol particles into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight back into space and brightening clouds to enhance their reflectivity. Proponents argue this could cool the planet, buying critical time to reduce carbon emissions.
But the plan is fraught with controversy. Critics warn of unpredictable side effects, including disruptions to global rainfall patterns that could devastate agriculture.
Others fear it distracts from the real solution: ending fossil fuel dependence. For example, a single billionaire’s private jet emits “207 years worth of pollution in just 12 months”—highlighting how SRM might mask unsustainable habits.
Dr. Pete Irvine at the University of Chicago stresses: “It’s worth stressing that geoengineering is not a substitute for emission cuts.” While SRM could slow warming, it doesn’t address the root cause.
Meanwhile, rising energy demands—driven partly by AI expansion—make emission reductions even harder. China’s carbon neutrality pledges, for instance, are offset by global power consumption hitting record highs.
If approved, the UK’s experiments would be among the first government-backed SRM trials. But geoengineering raises ethical questions: Who controls Earth’s thermostat? Could it trigger geopolitical conflict if weather patterns shift unpredictably? And could it create a moral hazard, allowing polluters to delay decarbonization?
Despite risks, ARIA’s program aims to gather critical data on SRM’s feasibility. The world is watching—success could spur international adoption.
