A Faster, Riskier Way to Cool the Earth

It has become known that scientists from University College London have found out that it is possible to use existing airplanes to cool the planet, rather than developing new ones.

This is a method in which small particles are added to the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and reduce the temperature on Earth. The work is published in the journal Earth.

Previously, it was thought that to do this, you need to lift aerosols very high – at a height of about 20 kilometers near the equator. This would have required the creation of special airplanes.

The new study showed: if you spray particles at a height of 13 kilometers closer to the poles of the Earth, for example, in the areas of Norway or Alaska.

That way you could achieve noticeable cooling using conventional cargo airliners like the Boeing 777F.

The method would work slightly worse than if the particles were sprayed higher and closer to the equator. To get the same effect, more substances would have to be used – about three times as much.

This would increase the risk of side effects such as acid rain. In addition, this method would cool tropical regions, where the effects of warming are most severe, worse.

Nevertheless, scientists believe it is important to explore all possible ways to combat climate change.

It would be easier and cheaper to start using existing airplanes quickly than to wait many years for new technology.

The researchers emphasize: this method does not replace the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The real solution to global warming is to achieve a reduced carbon dioxide CO2.

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