Why Bill Gates Is Funding Solar Geoengineering Research
CNBC・2 minutes read
Global outcry over climate change due to record fires in the Amazon rainforest has led to discussions on controversial solar geoengineering supported by Bill Gates, which could mitigate heat waves and sea level rise with potential risks like mass famine and weakened monsoons, but is cost-effective and supported by 67% of people. International cooperation, as seen with the Paris Agreement, is crucial for successful implementation and to avoid conflicts and tensions associated with solar geoengineering testing like the SCoPEx project.
Insights
- Bill Gates advocates for solar geoengineering, which involves injecting particles into the atmosphere to cool the earth, citing the potential to mitigate climate change impacts like heat waves and sea level rise.
- The Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment (SCoPEx) plans to release chemicals into the stratosphere to test solar geoengineering, highlighting the need for international cooperation to prevent conflicts similar to those surrounding the Paris Agreement.
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Recent questions
What is solar geoengineering?
Solar geoengineering involves injecting particles into the stratosphere to cool the earth. It is a controversial solution to combat climate change.
How did Mount Pinatubo's eruption affect the earth?
Mount Pinatubo's eruption in 1991 cooled the earth by reflecting sunlight back to space. This event serves as a natural example of the potential effects of solar geoengineering.
What are the risks associated with solar geoengineering?
Solar geoengineering could reduce heat waves, sea level rise, and tropical storms, but it also poses risks such as mass famine and weakened monsoons. These potential consequences must be carefully considered.
Why do 67% of people support solar geoengineering?
67% of people support solar geoengineering due to its cost-effectiveness compared to other climate change solutions. The affordability and potential effectiveness of this method make it appealing to a majority of individuals.
What is the Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment (SCoPEx)?
The Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment (SCoPEx) aims to test solar geoengineering by releasing chemicals into the stratosphere. This experimental project is crucial in understanding the potential impacts and feasibility of solar geoengineering.
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Summary
00:00
Climate crisis: Amazon fires and solar geoengineering
- Global outcry over climate change and big spending due to record-number of fires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest.
- Bill Gates supports solar geoengineering, a controversial solution involving injecting light-reflecting particles into the stratosphere to cool the earth.
- Mount Pinatubo's eruption in 1991 cooled the earth by reflecting sunlight back to space.
- Solar geoengineering could reduce heat waves, sea level rise, and tropical storms but poses risks like mass famine and weakened monsoons.
- Solar geoengineering is supported by 67% of people due to its cost-effectiveness compared to other climate change solutions.
- Stratospheric Controlled Perturbation Experiment (SCoPEx) aims to test solar geoengineering by releasing chemicals into the stratosphere.
- International community's involvement is crucial for solar geoengineering to avoid conflicts and tensions, as seen with the Paris Agreement.
