Scientists propose unique scheme to cool earth
Washington: Amid growing concern over
global warming, scientists have come up with an unique scheme
to cool the earth with the help of a geoengineering method
that would increase cloud reflectivity over the ocean.
Under the scheme, the scientists would increase cloud
reflectivity over the ocean by spraying them with an
ultra-fine saltwater mist from ships, a report published in
journal Scientific American said.
"The clouds, containing more particles, would cast
enough sunlight back into space to at least partially offset
the warming effects of all that CO2 from burning fossil
fuels," the researchers said.
They added, "After all, clouds already reflect more of
the sun's radiation back into space than the amount trapped by
human emissions of carbon dioxide. So why not make them even
more effective".
Stephen Salter, an emeritus professor of engineering
design at the University of Edinburgh, who is leading the
research said "marine cloud brightening could be done by
populating the world's oceans with up to 1,500 ships of a
somewhat exotic design—sometimes known as albedo yachts".
"Each vessel would be remote-controlled, wind-powered,
and capable of generating (via turbines dragged through the
water) the electricity required to create a mist of seawater
and loft it 1,000 meters into the atmosphere," he added.
Bureau Report