With methods of so-called geoengineering, the climate could theoretically be artificially influenced and cooled. Bernese researchers have now investigated whether it would be possible to prevent the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet by artificially "dimming the sun". The results show that artificial influence does not work without decarbonization and entails high risks.
Is there an emergency solution that could stop climate change? Technical methods that artificially influence the climate have been discussed for some time under the term geoengineering. However, the majority of climate researchers have been critical of them: high risks, incalculable consequences for future generations.
In a study just published in the journal Nature Climate Change, researchers led by Johannes Sutter of the Climate and Environmental Physics Division (KUP) at the Institute of Physics and the Oeschger Center for Climate Research at the University of Bern investigate the question of whether the melting of ice in West Antarctica could be prevented by artificially influencing solar radiation. The researchers also warn of unforeseeable side effects of geoengineering.
Avoiding a key climate tipping point
"The window of opportunity to limit the global temperature increase to below 2 degrees is closing fast," says ice modeling specialist Johannes Sutter, "so it is possible that technical measures to influence the climate will be seriously considered in the future." That is why, he says, it is necessary to use theoretical models to study the effects and risks of "solar radiation management." Solar Radiation Management (SRM) is a term used to describe various methods of blocking solar radiation in order to make the Earth cooler.
A key reason for the increased interest in geoengineering is the avoidance of tipping points at which the climate could change abruptly and irreversibly. These include the melting of the West Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets and the associated meter-high sea level rise. "Observations of ice flows in West Antarctica indicate that we are very close to a so-called tipping point or have already passed it," explains Johannes Sutter, "with our study, we therefore wanted to find out whether a collapse of the ice sheet could theoretically be prevented with solar radiation management."
Artificially dimming the sun
Specifically, Sutter and his colleagues have investigated what would happen if so-called aerosols - suspended particles in a gas - introduced into the stratosphere succeeded in blocking solar radiation from the earth - a dimming of the sun, so to speak. So far, research has focused on the global effects of solar radiation management (SRM). The Bern study is the first to use ice model simulations to show what effect such a measure would have on the Antarctic ice sheet. The study examines the possible development of the ice sheet under different future greenhouse gas scenarios and yields differentiated results: If emissions continue unabated and the SRM occurs in the middle of this century, the collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet could be delayed somewhat, but not prevented. In a medium emissions scenario, SRM deployed by mid-century could prove to be an "effective tool" to slow or even prevent ice sheet collapse.
According to the model calculations, SRM works best when it occurs as early as possible and is combined with ambitious climate mitigation measures. But, the study authors emphasize, "our simulations show that the most effective way to prevent long-term collaps
e of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is rapid decarbonization." The chances of a longer-term stable ice sheet are greatest if greenhouse gas emissions were reduced to net zero "without delay."
Possible side effects still hardly studied
But how should one imagine a dimming of the sun in practical terms? According to Johannes Sutter, a whole fleet of extremely high-flying airplanes would have to spread millions of tons of aerosols in the stratosphere. However, this technical intervention in the climate would have to be maintained without interruption and for centuries. If the intervention were stopped as long as the greenhouse concentration in the atmosphere remained high, the temperature on earth would quickly rise by several degrees.
The consequences of such a termination shock, Johannes Sutter points out, are only one of the possible dangers posed by SRM. The potential side effects are still insufficiently researched and range from a shift in the monsoon regime to changes in ocean and atmospheric circulation. Ocean acidification would also continue.
Critical voices also caution political and social effects: The use of techniques such as solar dimming could lead to climate protection measures being slowed down or even prevented. Thomas Stocker, professor of climate and environmental physics at the University of Bern and co-author of the study, says: "Geoengineering would be another global experiment and a potentially dangerous human intervention in the climate system, which should in any case be prevented according to Article 2 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change."
Research Report:Climate intervention on a high-emissions pathway could delay but not prevent West Antarctic Ice Sheet demise
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Summary:
This article discusses the potential of geoengineering to artificially influence the climate to prevent the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet. Researchers from the University of Bern have explored the possibility of using solar radiation management, or SRM, to reduce the amount of solar radiation and thus slow down the melting of the ice sheet. While the study found that it would be possible to slow the melting, the researchers also warned of unforeseeable side effects and a need to assess the risks of geoengineering. This article is relevant to defense industry analysts as it could provide a theoretical solution to the increasing urgency of climate change. Stock market analysts may be interested in the potential implications of geoengineering on the global economy. Finally, general industry analysts may be interested in how geoengineering could be used as part of a broader strategy to reduce global temperatures. This article is significant in its exploration of potential ways to mitigate the effects of climate change. It draws a correlation between the urgency of climate change and the potential to explore geoengineering as a possible solution. This article is notable as it is one of the first studies to explore the possibility of using solar radiation management to slow down the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet. This article also highlights the need for further study on the risks associated with geoengineering and the need to assess any potential side effects. In the past 25 years, the space and defense industry has seen a shift towards a greater focus on sustainability and climate change. This article reinforces the need for continued research and development in this area in order to find solutions to address the impacts of climate change. Investigative Question:
- 1. What are the potential risks associated with geoengineering?
- 2. What are the potential implications of using geoengineering to slow the melting of West Antarctic ice sheets?
- 3.
What other methods could be used in addition to geoengineering to address the impacts of climate change? 4. What would be the economic impacts of implementing geoengineering strategies?
5. What are the ethical implications of using geoengineering to address climate change?
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