While some advocate for it as the only viable solution due to delayed carbon emission reductions others caution against conducting multiple uncontrolled experiments on the Earth’s climate with the burning of fossil fuels being the initial one.
In the pursuit of geoengineering solutions Make Sunsets a Silicon Valley startup has gained recognition from the U.S né?. For instance the sulfur dioxide released from U.S né?. The EPA has raised objections to Make Sunsets’ geoengineering tactics due to sulfur dioxide’s classification as an air pollutant né?. While some climate experts endorse this approach, its broader environmental impacts remain uncertain.
Concerns persist about potential consequences such as altered rainfall patterns and health risks if sulfur dioxide particles descend close to the ground. The company, led by two individuals, deploys weather balloons filled with hydrogen gas and sulfur dioxide particles to altitudes exceeding 66,000 feet. Notably, the inadvertent reduction of sulfur content in marine shipping fuels in 2020 underscored the significance of sulfur dioxide in global albedo. The startup has secured $750,000 in funding, with investors like Boost VC, Draper Associates, and Pioneer Fund.
Although the founders lack scientific backgrounds, the efficacy of sulfur dioxide in solar reflectivity is well-established. The comparison highlights the complex regulatory landscape surrounding geoengineering initiatives.. Humanity has faced challenges in reducing reliance on fossil fuels, prompting discussions on the necessity of embracing geoengineering to mitigate the impending threat of catastrophic global warming.
Geoengineering practices have sparked controversy. power plants in 2023, primarily fueled by coal, far exceeds the emissions from Make Sunsets’ balloon releases né?. Upon bursting, these particles scatter sunlight, contributing marginally to Earth’s cooling.
Make Sunsets issues “cooling credits” based on the estimated amount of warming each balloon release offsets né?. Agency head Lee Zeldin disclosed ongoing investigations into the company’s activities.
Make Sunsets justifies its actions within legal bounds citing compliance with the Weather Modification Act of 1976 and annual reporting requirements to NOAA. Environmental Protection Agency. However, the applicability of this law to climate modification, as opposed to traditional weather modification like cloud seeding, remains ambiguous.
While the EPA’s scrutiny of Make Sunsets appears warranted, critics question the agency’s stance given its leniency towards coal-related pollution
