Cloud brightening could halt global warming, say scientists

Cloud brightening may solve our climate change problem said an international team of researchers on Tuesday.

The geoengineering scheme to halt global warming would see tiny salt particles shot into the air over the ocean creating ultra-bright, long-lasting clouds that reflect sunlight back into space.

Some scientists are urging research be done on the possibility that cloud engineering could be one answer to global warming.

"What we're trying to do is make the case that this is a beneficial experiment to do," said atmospheric physicist Rob Wood of the University of Washington, reported Red Orbit.

"It turns out that a greater number of smaller drops has a greater surface area, so it means the clouds reflect a greater amount of light back into space."

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According to Live Science, the research would need a fleet of spraying ships over a 62-mile stretch of the ocean that would fire out the particles.

The clouds would then be studied by researchers using aircraft, said Environmental Protection.

"Cloud seeding" is nothing new.

Using the technique to prevent rainfall was used during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The new idea was published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.

Geoengineering has become popular in recent years with many scientists searching for a solution to climate change.

Although small-scale "climate intervention" like green roofs or tree planting is already underway, there have yet to be any large-scale projects to manipulate the climate.

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