UK Agency Funds $60M Geoengineering Experiments in Arctic, Global Sites

The UK government’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) has committed £56.8 million (about $75 million) to fund 21 geoengineering projects aimed at cooling the planet, including experiments to thicken Arctic sea ice and brighten clouds to reflect more sunlight. These projects, part of ARIA’s Exploring Climate Cooling program, are designed to gather critical scientific data that might help prevent climate tipping points while complementing efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Despite the potential benefits, the funding has sparked controversy due to concerns over the unpredictable risks and the ethical implications of geoengineering, with critics warning that these interventions could cause unintended harm and violate international agreements like the Convention on Biological Diversity. Some experts emphasize that geoengineering should not replace emission cuts but could serve as an emergency measure if climate thresholds are reached. The UK’s approach includes rigorous assessments and transparency, but opposition remains strong globally, with calls for moratoriums and non-use agreements supported by civil society and international bodies. ARIA, modeled after the US DARPA, represents a high-risk, high-reward research strategy that also funds other transformative technologies beyond climate intervention.