Scientists explore daring idea of injecting ice into the sky to fight global heating
Scientists are attempting to learn more about a bold and unconventional approach to tackle global heating triggered by climate change: injecting ice particles into the sky to dry out the upper atmosphere. The proposal has generated both hope and caution.
The idea considers the fact that water vapour, just like carbon dioxide, traps heat in the atmosphere. So by injecting ice particles high into the air, scientists believe it could cause existing water vapour to condense into ice and fall, effectively drying out the upper atmosphere.
The technique is expected to become an additional tool in the fight against global heating. But significant hurdles remain. The scientific community acknowledges the lack of feasible injection methods and the limited potential positive impact on the planet.
Biggest concern surrounding geoengineering?
Researchers at NASA and NOAA believe injecting ice into the sky could counteract a “small” amount of heating: the proposed method, using high-tech planes to implement the process, is likely to only offer a 5% reduction in warming from fossil fuels.
But the biggest concern surrounding geoengineering is the potential for unprecedented consequences. Scientists fear such techniques could trigger “cascading new problems“. In addition, questions arise about ethics, legal implications and international cooperation.
Though injecting ice particles is still a theoretical concept, it represents the ongoing search for solutions to the climate crisis. Researchers across the globe are divided. Some urge caution and continued focus on emissions reduction, but others push for more research.
Solar geoengineering: can dimming the sun help?
Several scientists are also exploring the largely untested and controversial technique of dimming the sun to reduce global heating. The method mimics the effect of volcanic eruptions by pushing sulphur dioxide particles into the atmosphere to reflect back the sun’s light.
But no matter the amount of positive intentions behind such proposals, environmental groups and a good number of scientists are urging caution. Nonetheless, it can’t be denied that climate change-led global heating has turned into a pressing threat.
Recently, the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed 2023 as the hottest year on record. It also highlighted that global mean temperatures between February 2023 and January 2024 have exceeded the 1.5 degrees Celsius global heating target.
