The UK government is investing £57 million in a geoengineering project to combat climate change by brightening clouds. The project, supported by the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), aims to reduce the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface by spraying saltwater into clouds to make them more reflective. Researchers will first develop and test a machine that can spray saltwater into clouds in a laboratory setting. If successful, they plan to conduct outdoor tests as early as winter 2027-2028.
The initial test area will be approximately 330 feet wide, but could expand to several miles by the end of the decade. Professor Mark Symes, ARIA’s director, says that while the changes may not be visible from the ground, instruments on planes flying through the clouds will be able to measure the effects.
Concerns over unintended consequences
However, some scientists are warning that the project could have unintended consequences on the climate. Professor Mike Hulme of the University of Cambridge cautions that this technology could lead to dangerous levels of climate manipulation, as lab data cannot guarantee its safety or reversibility. Dr. Naomi Vaughan, a climate change expert from the University of East Anglia, notes that reflecting sunlight could become a new risk for society.
The project is part of a broader effort to explore new ways to combat climate change. While some experts see geoengineering as a potentially vital tool, others are urging caution and more research into its potential impacts.