Should the Earth cool by imitating volcanic eruptions?

Some scientists believe that aerosol can be sprayed into the atmosphere to cool the Earth. However, a new study shows that this process is ineffective.

Intervening in the climate

A new report shows that deliberate climate change on a large scale to counter the effects of global warming - can cause adverse effects on our own planet. Research conducted by scientists at the University of Exeter, UK shows that climate intervention in a hemisphere will lead to negative consequences in another hemisphere. Research by a group of scientists has been published in Nature Communications.

The idea of ​​climate intervention is actually quite simple. By injecting aerosol particles into the atmosphere, a part will reflect into the universe, thereby cooling the Earth's surface. This process is similar to aerosol released into the atmosphere after a volcanic eruption.

In their research, scientists at Exeter University tested advanced simulations using an ocean-air combination model. Experimental results show that aerosol pumping into the Northern Hemisphere will reduce the number of storms and tropical depressions in the North Atlantic. However, if this process is implemented in the Southern hemisphere, the rate will increase again. In addition, if the number of tornadoes in the North Atlantic falls, it will inadvertently cause drought in the Sahel - an area of ​​Africa.

Researcher Anthony Jones, lead author of the study, said: "Our results confirm that climate intervention is a high-risk strategy. They can benefit some areas. But, other places have to bear the consequences: It is important at this point that policymakers must take this climate intervention seriously and take quick actions to build make feasible regulations'.

Risky calculations

However, not all scientists agree with Jones researchers' comments on climate interventions. Ken Caldeira - a meteorological scientist at the Carnegie Science Institute believes that if based on basic science, this process is not harmful.

"If we really believe in models and only worry about realistic climate systems - not social and political consequences, it's best to just do it. we are reluctant to consider the unintended social and political consequences , 'said Ken Caldeira.

Picture 1 of Should the Earth cool by imitating volcanic eruptions?
Consider when using climate interventions.(Photo: Internet).

According to meteorologist Caldeira, if climate intervention is a wonderful solution that can quickly resolve global warming, mankind will not have many reasons to change manners ' devastating nature ' of them. This is a temporary method, not a means to solve basic problems.

Dennis L. Hartmann - Professor of Atmospheric Research at the University of Washington, emphasized one more thing: the fact that climate intervention is not a quick solution to climate change.

"Management of solar radiation must be maintained and improved continuously to compensate for the increase in greenhouse gases. If the management of solar radiation is discontinued for any reason, the process of warming rapidly will lead to very devastating consequences , 'he said.

But according to Caldeira, if just implementing climate interventions alone, it would not be possible to cause disaster on this planet. If we increase the amount of matter introduced into the atmosphere through the eruption of the Pinatubo volcano in 1991 and 2100, it can compensate for the degree of global warming in this century. He also noted that the volcanic eruption did not cause climate chaos.

The best solution is to warn people about actions that affect their environment and make some necessary changes . However, this measure is not easy nor quick to implement!

Aerosol is an important component of the Earth's atmosphere with particles of solid, liquid . suspended in the air such as volcanic soot, sea salt, industrial waste and bacteria, viruses . Common aerosol considered dirt, air pollution, not good for health need to be excluded.

However, according to the British Meteorological Agency's research, Aerosol particles have the effect of cooling the air because they are able to reflect part of sunlight into the universe, which also causes the clouds to return. should be whiter.

200 years ago, the giant volcano Mount Tambora erupted in Indonesia sprayed hundreds of millions of tons of aerosols into the stratosphere. They are like a blanket covering the globe, causing global temperatures to drop sharply. In the Americas and Europe, 1816 is known to be a year without summer.