This is Part Two of a two-part story. Find Part One here. In April, researchers from the University of Washington sprayed sea salt particles into the air off the California coast in the nation’s first field test of this solar geoengineering concept. The idea: When certain types of aerosol particles, whether natural or synthetic pollutants, […]

This is Part Two of a two-part story. Find Part One here.

Key Ideas

  • As climate change accelerates, some scientists are calling for more field research into solar geoengineering concepts. However, these ideas are running into opposition from other researchers, some governments and the public.

  • A series of recent setbacks has put solar geoengineering research on the back foot, attempting to figure out a way to navigate the opposition.

  • Proponents of field research say it would help humanity better understand the potential and problems with solar geoengineering, while opponents argue that there are too many risks and it could take our eye off the ball: cutting carbon emissions.

  • The debate has spilled into the international arena, pitting nations that support greater research against those that would like to see a solar geoengineering non-use agreement.