Scientist calls for experiments using ships which shoot seawater into the sky
Researchers are exploring a controversial idea that uses ships to shoot saltwater high into the sky over the oceans, creating clouds that reflect sunlight and thus counter global warming.
University of Washington atmospheric physicist Rob Wood is urging the scientific community to explore the possibility of seeding clouds to reflect more sunlight, saying that ethical ramifications - such as what would happen if a government used weather-changing technology for political reasons - should not be a barrier to research.
His paper, published this month, looks at kind of ship would be best to spray the salt water into the sky, how large the water droplets should be and the potential climatological impacts.
Wood describes ways to run experiments to test the concept in a paper published this month in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Wood said that, with enough interest in cloud brightening from the scientific community, funding for an experiment may become possible.
He said: 'What we're trying to do is make the case that this is a beneficial experiment to do.'
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Could man-made clouds halt global warming by reflecting sunlight? Scientist urges experiments using ships which shoot seawater into the sky | Mail Online
Researchers are exploring a controversial idea that uses ships to shoot saltwater high into the sky over the oceans, creating clouds that reflect sunlight and thus counter global warming.
University of Washington atmospheric physicist Rob Wood is urging the scientific community to explore the possibility of seeding clouds to reflect more sunlight, saying that ethical ramifications - such as what would happen if a government used weather-changing technology for political reasons - should not be a barrier to research.
His paper, published this month, looks at kind of ship would be best to spray the salt water into the sky, how large the water droplets should be and the potential climatological impacts.
Wood describes ways to run experiments to test the concept in a paper published this month in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.
Wood said that, with enough interest in cloud brightening from the scientific community, funding for an experiment may become possible.
He said: 'What we're trying to do is make the case that this is a beneficial experiment to do.'
more
Could man-made clouds halt global warming by reflecting sunlight? Scientist urges experiments using ships which shoot seawater into the sky | Mail Online