Articles tagged with "geoengineering"
Seaweed Blooms Suggest The Ocean Is Geoengineering Itself - CleanTechnica
A 2026 study led by researchers at the University of South Florida used AI-driven analysis of 20 years of satellite data to reveal a significant global increase in floating macroalgae (seaweed) blooms, with rapid expansion starting around 2008–2010. This marks a notable shift from a previously macroalgae-poor ocean to one increasingly rich in floating seaweed, such as sargassum, which forms massive blooms like the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt visible from space. While these blooms can support marine life offshore, their arrival on coastlines poses threats to ecosystems, tourism, and local economies. The study provides the first comprehensive global picture of floating algae, showing that macroalgae coverage increased by about 13.4% annually between 2003 and 2022, far outpacing the modest 1% annual rise in microalgae like phytoplankton. The researchers identified key tipping points in bloom growth around 2008–2012 and
energymaterialsgeoengineeringseaweedcarbon-sequestrationoceanographyAI-analysisGeoengineering The Ocean — What Could Possibly Go Wrong? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critically examines the concept of geoengineering the ocean as a response to climate change, highlighting both the scientific skepticism and ecological risks involved. It begins by addressing the common dismissal of climate science by some who prioritize economic gain over environmental concerns, often invoking religious justifications for exploiting the Earth. The ocean plays a crucial role in absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide, but this process increases ocean acidity, which harms marine life, particularly crustaceans that rely on calcium to build protective shells. Rapid environmental changes outpace the ability of marine species to adapt, leading to potential mass die-offs. The article references a 2026 study published in Advancing Earth & Space Sciences, which evaluates various ocean-based geoengineering proposals such as photosynthesis enhancement, iron fertilization, and seaweed cultivation. While these methods aim to capture and store carbon, the study notes that much of the carbon eventually returns to the atmosphere as biomass decomposes. Alternative strategies like ocean alkalinity enhancement involve adding alkaline substances to seaw
energygeoengineeringocean-acidificationclimate-changecarbon-dioxideenvironmental-impactmarine-lifeGreat Green Wall: Drought-resilient algae to help reclaim 6,667 hectares of desert
Chinese researchers have developed an innovative geoengineering technique using drought-resilient blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) to reclaim desert land by creating a stable biological soil crust. This method, pioneered at the Shapotou Desert Experimental Research Station in Ningxia, involves deploying specially selected cyanobacterial strains embedded in nutrient-rich "solid seed" blocks. These blocks, once spread across barren dunes, activate upon rainfall, secreting a biomass matrix that binds sand particles, immobilizes shifting dunes, and forms a nutrient-rich substrate conducive to plant growth. This approach drastically reduces the natural formation time of desert crusts from 5–10 years to just one year. The project aims to reclaim up to 6,667 hectares in Ningxia over five years and is part of China’s broader “Great Green Wall” initiative to combat desertification by addressing the root cause—shifting sands—rather than relying solely on tree planting. The technology is low-cost, scalable, and has potential applications beyond China, with
materialsgeoengineeringcyanobacteriadesert-restorationbiocrust-technologyclimate-change-mitigationsustainable-agricultureMichael Mann To Bill Gates: What World Are You Living In? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses a sharp disagreement between climate scientist Michael Mann and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates regarding the approach to climate change. Ahead of COP30, Gates released a memo suggesting that climate action, global health, and development are mutually exclusive and that humanity can continue to thrive despite climate change. Mann strongly disputes this view, criticizing Gates for downplaying the severity of the climate crisis and promoting technological fixes that Mann considers inadequate or unrealistic. Mann emphasizes that there is no simple "patch" for climate change and that the only viable solution is to rapidly stop burning fossil fuels and decarbonize energy systems. Mann also highlights Gates’ investments in fossil fuel infrastructure and geoengineering projects, such as sulfur dioxide spraying and modular nuclear reactors, which Mann argues are either counterproductive or unscalable within the urgent timeframe needed. Furthermore, Mann challenges Gates’ claim that climate action detracts from addressing human health issues, pointing out that climate change exacerbates poverty and disease, disproportionately harming the most vulnerable populations. Mann’s
energyclean-energyclimate-changedecarbonizationfossil-fuelscarbon-capturegeoengineeringRoyal Society Report: Geoengineering Is A Really Bad Idea - CleanTechnica
The Royal Society report, as discussed in the CleanTechnica article, critically evaluates geoengineering as a response to global overheating and climate change. It highlights that while geoengineering methods such as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) and marine cloud brightening (MCB) are being studied, they are fundamentally limited and risky solutions. SAI involves injecting sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere to reflect sunlight, mimicking volcanic cooling effects, whereas MCB aims to increase cloud reflectivity by dispersing salt particles over oceans. Both approaches could potentially reduce global temperatures temporarily but do not address the root cause of climate change: the continued emission of greenhouse gases from fossil fuels. The report emphasizes that geoengineering could only mask the symptoms of climate change rather than solve the underlying problem, and improper or uncoordinated deployment could worsen regional climate issues. Moreover, the enormous financial costs associated with these technologies are unlikely to be borne by the fossil fuel industry, which benefits from continued emissions. The Royal Society stresses that
energygeoengineeringclimate-changerenewable-energystratospheric-aerosol-injectionmarine-cloud-brighteningsolar-radiation-managementElon Musk suggests AI satellites could dial down global warming
Elon Musk has publicly endorsed the concept of space-based solar radiation management (SRM) as a potential tool to combat global warming. SRM involves reflecting a portion of the Sun’s rays away from Earth to reduce global temperatures, and Musk suggested that a constellation of AI-powered satellites could make precise adjustments to the amount of solar energy reaching the planet. This idea, which merges climate science with aerospace engineering, has divided the scientific community due to its technical complexity and uncertain environmental impacts. While Musk’s position carries significant weight given SpaceX’s extensive satellite infrastructure, experts caution that deploying SRM at a planetary scale faces enormous technical, ethical, and geopolitical challenges. Potential risks include unpredictable disruptions to weather patterns and international conflicts over control of such technology. Although startups have begun experimenting with various geoengineering approaches, these remain largely theoretical and far from practical implementation. Musk’s involvement, however, signals growing interest in radical climate interventions as global temperatures continue to rise and traditional emissions reduction efforts fall short.
AIsatellitesenergyclimate-changesolar-radiation-managementgeoengineeringspace-technologyEarth-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
energyclimate-changegeoengineeringsolar-geoengineeringstratospheric-aerosol-injectionscarbon-emissionsenvironmental-scienceThe DOGE Subcommittee Hearing on Weather Modification Was a Nest of Conspiracy Theorizing
The House Oversight Committee hearing titled “Playing God with the Weather—a Disastrous Forecast,” convened by Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, centered on conspiracy theories about government control of the weather. Greene framed the debate as a conflict between divine authority over Earth and human attempts to manipulate weather, questioning scientific claims about climate change. The hearing highlighted how longstanding conspiracy theories, such as “chemtrails” (misconceptions about contrails from jets) and fears of weather modification, have gained renewed traction amid a cultural environment saturated with misinformation. Greene has a history of promoting such theories, including baseless claims linking California wildfires to space lasers controlled by a Jewish family and alleging that Texas floods were man-made. The hearing also touched on legitimate weather modification techniques like cloud seeding, which involves introducing substances like silver iodide into clouds to induce rain and is practiced in several states under regulation. Another discussed topic was solar radiation modification (solar geoengineering), a theoretical approach to combat global warming by
energyweather-modificationgeoengineeringclimate-changesolar-radiation-managementatmospheric-scienceenvironmental-policyFrontier buys $31M worth of antacids for the ocean
Frontier, a carbon removal clearinghouse founded by companies including Google and Shopify, has purchased 115,208 metric tons of carbon removal credits from the geoengineering startup Planetary. This marks Frontier’s first agreement to remove carbon by enhancing ocean alkalinity, a method that involves increasing the ocean’s natural alkalinity to absorb more carbon dioxide. The deal prices carbon removal at $270 per metric ton, although Planetary aims to reduce this cost to under $100 per metric ton in the future. Ocean alkalinity enhancement has the potential to remove over 1 billion metric tons of CO2 annually, offering a significant tool in combating climate change. The oceans have historically absorbed large amounts of atmospheric CO2, which has slowed global warming but also increased ocean acidity, threatening marine life. Since the industrial revolution, ocean pH has dropped from about 8.2 to 8.1, representing a 30% increase in acidity due to carbonic acid formation when CO2 reacts with seawater. Planet
energycarbon-removalocean-alkalinity-enhancementclimate-change-mitigationgeoengineeringenvironmental-technologycarbon-credits