UK Government Plans Aerosol Experiments to Dim Sun, Prevent Climate Change

The UK government is preparing to approve outdoor field trials to combat climate change by dimming sunlight through solar geoengineering, including injecting aerosols like sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere and brightening clouds to reflect sunlight. These experiments, funded by Britain's Advanced Research and Invention Agency with a £50 million budget, aim to explore whether such interventions can prevent runaway global warming. Scientists reference natural occurrences, such as ship emissions and volcanic eruptions, as evidence that increasing cloud reflectivity can cool the planet. However, critics argue that geoengineering is controversial, may distract from efforts to reduce emissions, and could have unintended negative consequences such as changes in weather patterns, regional droughts, or crop failures. The potential for abrupt warming if such programs are suddenly stopped has also been raised as a significant risk. While the UK government is moving forward with these trials, debate continues over both their efficacy and their safety.