Geoengineering: Scientists want to hack the planet to cool it down – and the consequences could be extreme
Fleets of planes in the stratosphere, space mirrors and other geoengineering technologies offer a chance to reverse the worst effects of climate change. But might the cure be worse than the disease? O n a small Indonesian island in April 1815, a volcano changed the course of human history. The super-colossal eruption of Mount Tambora was the most violent volcanic eruption ever recorded, blasting so much ash and debris into the upper atmosphere that it induced a period of global cooling known as the Year Without a Summer. The volcanos impact on Earths climate resulted in crop failures, famine and social unrest. Some historians have even attributed Napoleons loss at Waterloo to the two months of unseasonal rain that preceded the battle. Temperatures around the world dropped by an average of 3C for several years before the plumes microparticles dissipated and the climate returned to pre-eruption levels. Now, 200 years later, some climate scientists are proposing a technique known as stratospheric aerosol injection that would artificially mimic the effects of a massive volcanic eruption. If successful, it could slow down, or even reverse, the worst effects of human-induced global warming. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Giant space mirrors could reflect solar radiation away from Earth SPL One way to cool the planet is to have a big hosepipe in the stratosphere which could spray out sulphur dioxide and block solar radiation from reaching Earth Hugh Hunt/ SPICE Temperature anomalies in Europe in 1816, known as the Year without a summer, following the eruption of Mount Tambora in Indonesia Creative Commons Stock/Getty Images Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Log in New to The Independent? Or if you would prefer: Want an ad-free experience? Hi {{indy.fullName}}