SHOCKING: UN Report Discusses Plans to Block Out the Sun

darken our skies

  • Recently published UN report proposes ways to cool our planet by restricting sunlight and darkening our skies.
  • Bill Gates and Harvard are funding research on solar geoengineering.
  • Harvard’s upcoming project, SCoPEx, aims to conduct small-scale experiments to study the effects of releasing materials like calcium carbonate into the atmosphere.

The UN’s Controversial Proposal

Darken the Skies to Combat Climate Change

Climate change remains one of the most pressing issues of our time, prompting global organizations like the United Nations (UN) to explore innovative solutions. Recently, a contentious proposal has emerged: darkening the skies to combat rising temperatures. But will this strategy, championed by figures like Bill Gates, truly succeed, or is it a misguided endeavor with unforeseen consequences?

Understanding the Proposal

The UN’s proposal centers on the innovative concept of Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), a cutting-edge strategy designed to counteract the impacts of climate change. At its core, SRM operates by deflecting sunlight away from the Earth’s surface, thereby reducing the amount of solar energy absorbed by our planet’s atmosphere. This process involves deploying various techniques to alter the Earth’s energy balance, ultimately aiming to cool the Earth and offset the warming effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

One method proposed for SRM is the injection of reflective aerosols into the stratosphere. These aerosols act as a shield, reflecting a portion of the incoming solar radiation back into space before it reaches the Earth’s surface. By diminishing the solar energy absorbed by the Earth, SRM seeks to counteract the rising temperatures associated with climate change.

Additionally, SRM explores the possibility of deploying space-based mirrors or reflective surfaces to redirect sunlight away from the Earth, further reducing the heat absorbed by our planet. These innovative technologies represent ambitious yet controversial approaches to managing the Earth’s climate system, highlighting the intricate balance between human intervention and natural processes.

As this concept gains traction in scientific and policy circles, understanding the mechanisms and implications of SRM becomes crucial for readers unfamiliar with the intricacies of this groundbreaking approach to climate intervention.

Key ideas proposed by the UN include:

  • Injecting reflective nanoparticles or sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere (stratospheric aerosol injection).
  • Brightening of low clouds over the ocean by seeding ocean clouds with submicron salt particles
  • Using space mirrors, that is, many giant mirrors launched into outer space to reflect sunlight.

The urgency behind these proposals stems from the UN’s concern over the inadequacy of current efforts to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The UN explains that should the “global stakeholders” decide to proceed, the skies could be darkened within only a few years:

“SRM is the only option that could cool the planet within years. To be effective at limiting global warming, SRM would need to be maintained for several decades to centuries, depending on the pace of emissions reductions and carbon removal.”

One Atmosphere, UN Report

Unveiling the Risks

Until not too long ago, many people agreed that blocking sunlight from the Earth would turn the planet into a lifeless ice ball. In fact, this was the theme of the 2013 film Snowpiercer. And this idea may be grounded in fact, as UN’s proposal is not without significant risks and ethical considerations.

Unintended Consequences

The concept of Solar Radiation Management (SRM) delves into uncharted territory in geoengineering, sparking concerns about unforeseen repercussions. The manipulation of Earth’s climate on a large scale could trigger disruptions in ecosystems, alter weather patterns, and impact agricultural productivity. These unintended consequences highlight the intricate balance of nature that could be disturbed by such interventions, potentially leading to cascading effects across various aspects of the environment.

Listen to the Tennessee Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee on Spraying of Aerosols In our Atmosphere:

Historical Precedents

Drawing parallels between SRM and natural occurrences like volcanic eruptions, the UN underscores the release of sulfur particles during volcanic events that induce temporary global cooling. However, historical incidents such as the eruption of Huaynaputina in 1600 serve as poignant reminders of the potential catastrophes linked to meddling with natural processes. These historical precedents emphasize the delicate equilibrium that exists in Earth’s systems and caution against hasty or ill-informed interventions that could have far-reaching and detrimental consequences.

Ethical Dilemmas

The implementation of Solar Radiation Management necessitates global collaboration and consensus among nations, giving rise to ethical dilemmas surrounding governance, transparency, and equity. Questions arise about the decision-making processes governing when and how to deploy these technologies. Furthermore, concerns about the establishment of safeguards to prevent potential abuse or misuse of SRM technologies loom large. The ethical considerations surrounding SRM underscore the complexities inherent in managing global environmental interventions and highlight the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide such endeavours responsibly.

Technological Challenges

The viability of Solar Radiation Management hinges on cutting-edge technology and infrastructure, ranging from aerosol injection mechanisms to space-based mirrors. The development and deployment of these intricate systems on a global scale pose substantial logistical and financial hurdles. Overcoming these technological challenges requires significant investment, research, and coordination to ensure the safe and effective implementation of SRM strategies. Addressing these technological obstacles is crucial for evaluating the feasibility and implications of large-scale climate intervention initiatives like SRM.

The Role of Bill Gates and Other Stakeholders

bill gates plan to dim sun

Influential figures like Bill Gates have expressed support for SRM and invested in research initiatives exploring its feasibility. Gates sees geoengineering as a pragmatic approach to address climate change’s urgency, although critics argue it distracts from the root causes of environmental degradation.

Notably, the influential National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) also released a 2021 report urging the U.S. government to spend at least $100 million to study solar geoengineering.

Approach with Extreme Caution

The escalating discourse on Solar Radiation Management (SRM) underscores the need to view this issue with extreme caution and prudence. While seeking innovative approaches to address climate change is imperative, delving into SRM must be approached with extreme reservation, considering the inherent dangers and uncertainties associated with such interventions.

The UN’s proposition to manipulate Earth’s climate through darkening the skies emerges as a perilous and ill-advised initiative. It demands a critical evaluation of the potential hazards and ethical implications involved. Engaging in well-informed discussions is paramount for conscientious global citizens, as we navigate the treacherous terrain of considering the trade-offs between perceived benefits and the grave risks posed by venturing into uncharted environmental territories.

Citations:

One Atmosphere: An independent expert review on Solar Radiation Modification research and deployment, published by UN; 28 February 2023

Bill Gates Is Thinking About Dimming the Sun, Popular Mechanics; 26 March 2021

Reflecting Sunlight: Recommendations for Solar Geoengineering Research and Research Governance, nationalacademies.org; 2021

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