Summary:
Geoengineering is seen as a potential solution to combat climate change amidst fossil fuel reliance.
Make Sunsets has developed a method using weather balloons to release sulfur dioxide for cooling effects.
The startup has raised $750,000 and is backed by notable investors.
The EPA is investigating the company due to health concerns related to sulfur dioxide as an air pollutant.
Discrepancies in pollution regulation raise questions about the EPA's stance on geoengineering.
The Need for Geoengineering
Humans have struggled to move away from fossil fuels, prompting discussions about geoengineering â a method to modify the atmosphere to prevent catastrophic global warming. This practice is controversial, with some believing it's the only viable solution after years of inaction on carbon emissions, while others argue against conducting uncontrolled experiments on the Earth's climate.
Make Sunsets: The Startup at the Center of Controversy
One such startup, Make Sunsets, founded by two individuals from Silicon Valley, has been releasing weather balloons filled with hydrogen and sulfur dioxide particles. These balloons burst at high altitudes (over 66,000 feet), dispersing sulfur dioxide to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth slightly. The company markets âcooling creditsâ based on the estimated warming negated by each release.
Funding and Scientific Backing
Make Sunsets has raised $750,000 from investors, including Boost VC and Draper Associates. Although neither founder is a scientist, the underlying science of sulfur dioxide and its role in solar reflectivity is well-supported. The importance of sulfur dioxide in regulating Earth's reflectivity was highlighted when its content in marine shipping fuels was reduced in 2020, leading to unintended climate effects.
Potential Risks and EPA's Response
However, the implications of this geoengineering approach remain uncertain. While it could potentially induce rain in some areas, it might also deprive others of rainfall. Concerns over health risks, such as asthma exacerbations from ground-level sulfur dioxide, have led the EPA to investigate Make Sunsets. The agency's administrator, Lee Zeldin, has expressed that sulfur dioxide is regulated as an air pollutant.
Make Sunsets defends its operations, asserting that they comply with the Weather Modification Act of 1976, arguing their method is legal. Yet, the interpretation of this law regarding climate modification remains ambiguous.
Inconsistencies in Pollution Regulation
Interestingly, while the EPA's investigation may be warranted, it raises questions about consistency. The agency's support for coal-based energy generation may contribute significantly more sulfur dioxide pollution than the startup's balloon releases. For instance, a single balloon release on November 15, 2024, emitted 1,715 grams of sulfur dioxide, whereas U.S. power plants released 650,000 tons in 2023, primarily from coal sources. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing debate over pollution regulation and geoengineering practices.
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