Earth-cooling spray could backfire, scientists warn of risky plan

The article discusses the contentious debate surrounding solar geoengineering, specifically stratospheric aerosol injections (SAI), as a potential method to combat climate change by reflecting sunlight away from Earth. While computer simulations suggest that SAI could effectively cool the planet by mimicking natural processes like volcanic eruptions, scientists caution that these models are idealized and may not capture the full range of real-world risks and uncertainties. The research team from Columbia University highlights that factors such as particle behavior at different altitudes, supply chain limitations, and political challenges could significantly complicate or undermine the effectiveness of SAI. Moreover, the scientists warn against overreliance on solar geoengineering as a solution to the climate crisis. They emphasize that even under the best-case scenario—where a centralized, internationally coordinated body governs the operation—such global cooperation appears unlikely given current geopolitical tensions. Additionally, sourcing sufficient quantities of materials like sulfur or lime could strain supply chains, and some proposed materials, such as diamond particles, are impractical due