We Have the Technology. Airplanes Could Spray Particles into the Atmosphere to Battle Climate Change. But Should We?

We Have the Technology. Airplanes Could Spray Particles into the Atmosphere to Battle Climate Change. But Should We?

"...a hypothetical deployment program starting 15 years from now, ... would be technically possible strictly from an engineering perspective." - Dr. Gernot Wagner, co-Director of Harvard's Solar Geoengineering Research Program.

To Battle Climate Change

Solar Geoengineering and Stratospheric Aerosol Injection

Using Aircraft to Battle Climate Change

"No existing aircraft has the combination of altitude and payload capabilities required." - Wake Smith, study co-author.

The Cost of Using SAIL to Battle Climate Change

Should We Use SAIL to Battle Climate Change?

Sources:

  • Research Paper: Stratospheric aerosol injection tactics and costs in the first 15 years of deployment

  • Press Release: Could an anti-global warming atmospheric spraying program really work?

  • Geoengineering Monitor

  • Press Release: The Economic Case for Climate Action in the United States

  • Convention on Biological Diversity

  • Evan Gough

    Evan Gough

    Evan Gough is a science-loving guy with no formal education who loves Earth, forests, hiking, and heavy music. He's guided by Carl Sagan's quote: "Understanding is a kind of ecstasy."