Controversy over the idea of ​​using artificial clouds

Researchers are considering the idea of ​​using sea-level ships to climb high in the sky, creating clouds that reflect sunlight and thus helping to prevent global warming. However, this idea makes many people worry about the potential risk when a government uses technology to change the weather for political purposes.

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Atmospheric physicist Rob Wood from Washington University (USA) is calling on the scientific community to explore the possibility of artificial rattan production against climate change.

In this month's article in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society , Mr. Wood described how to conduct tests that test the idea. The scientist also elaborated on which type of vessel would best use to spray seawater into the sky, how big the droplets should be and what climate impacts might occur.

Researchers believe that using ships to shoot seawater into the sky can create
Large clouds reflect sunlight, help fight climate change. (Photo: Corbis)

According to the Daily Mail page, the idea Mr. Wood pursues is based on the theory of 'marine cloud brightening' . In particular, the addition of particles, in this case sea salt, to the sky above the ocean will help form large clouds and long life.

As we know, clouds appear when water condenses around particles. Because the amount of water in the air is very limited, adding more particles will create more water droplets with smaller sizes.

Wood said: 'We found that larger amounts of smaller droplets (water) will create a larger surface area, meaning that the clouds will reflect more light. space again ' . This will bring cooling effect on Earth.

The theory of 'marine cloud brightening' is only part of a broader concept called 'geotechnical engineering' , which includes efforts to use technology to manipulate the environment.

Just like other geotechnical proposals, artificial production of seawater is also controversial about the ethical and political aspects as well as the uncertainty about its true impact.

However, Mr. Wood dismisses fears that this idea should not be studied. He said the trial would expand on how particles like pollutants will affect the climate, although the main purpose is to test the idea of ​​fighting climate change by artificial rattan production from sea water.

If successful, 'marine cloud brightening' technology can be the most immediate and economical solution to climate change.