A team of scientists at the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum in Alameda is conducting revolutionary experiments to combat climate change by dispersing sea salt particles into the atmosphere. The aim is to reflect sunlight away from the Earth, potentially assisting in temperature regulation. This research project, known as the Coastal Atmospheric Aerosol Research and Engagement (CAARE) facility, represents the first initiative of its kind in North America.
The CAARE project involves periodic releases of sea salt particles. These releases allow the research team to analyze the particles’ effects on clouds and the climate. The project, which is set to run until the end of May, comes in the wake of Harvard University cancelling a similar project due to opposition from Indigenous groups.
The Marine Cloud Brightening Program, an idea initially suggested by British scientist John Latham in 1990, is now being put to the test in real-world conditions aboard the USS Hornet. Collaboration with the University of Washington, SRI, and SilverLining has been pivotal in this endeavor. The project’s scope includes testing equipment and creating computer models onboard the USS Hornet over several months. These efforts will determine the actual effectiveness of cloud brightening technology in a practical setting.
However, the researchers are quick to point out that while cloud brightening offers potential for reducing excess atmospheric heat, it should not be seen as a complete solution to the climate crisis. There are also potential risks involved, including potential impacts on marine ecosystems.
The concept for the experiment harks back to a 1987 discovery that sea water, when sprayed back into the atmosphere through ship tracks, significantly increased cloud reflectivity. This enhancement in reflectivity could potentially contribute to maintaining the Earth’s temperature.
Despite the potential benefits of the project, concerns have been raised about possible unintended consequences. These include alterations to ocean circulation patterns or impacts on weather, both of which could have detrimental effects on fisheries or farms. In light of these concerns, scientists agree that the primary course of action should continue to be reducing fossil fuel emissions.
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