Cosmic Umbrella? Scientists Are Trying To Block Sun To Cool Earth, Overcome Climate Change

Scientists are looking into innovative ways to prevent the overheating of the planet. One method they are trying to explore is sending cosmic umbrellas to space in order to block the warmth of the Sun.

Massive Cosmic Umbrella

These scientists say that they are ready to test the idea. Yotam Rozen, the team leader, who serves as the director of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and a physics professor from the Asher Space Research Institute, says that they are ready to construct a prototype that spans 100 square feet.

However, there is an issue that they must face. The cosmic umbrella's shield must be able to span roughly a million square miles. This is roughly equivalent to Argentina's size.

As this is too massive to launch on just one rocket, the team of Rozen is proposing to have a smaller shade swarm that will be launched to outer space. These would not immediately block sunlight but cast shade that is slightly diffused into the Earth.

Blocking Sun Warmth

This idea has been around for a number of decades. Rather than blocking the Sun fully with the help of a massive parasol, researchers suggest that it is only necessary to block 1% to 2% of the radiation of the star in order to mitigate global warming effects.

Last year, scientists from the University of Utah and Harvard looked into the idea of adding dust to a Lagrange point between the Earth and the Sun in order to combat climate change. Another team suggested the use of an actual umbrella tied to an asteroid in order to yield similar effects.

However, sunshade would just be one part of the solution, as the atmosphere of the Earth will still trap heat in greenhouse gas emission forms.

The idea has not earned the support of everyone. Critics express that sun shades would be incredibly unrealistic and cost-prohibitive. This comes with consideration of the acceleration of global warming. Not to mention, it must have the capacity to withstand outer space exposure. A collision or solar storm could end up hurting the shield and leading to rapid and sudden warmth as well as devastating consequences.

On the other hand, proponents of the idea argue that no stone should be left unturned when it comes to the development of climate change solutions. They note that sun shade would not stop the need to burn oil, coal, and gas. Even if fossil fuel emissions drop immediately to zero, the atmosphere already has excessive heat-trapping CO2.

The team is now looking to secure around $10 to $20 million for them to start with the prototype construction. Rozen explains that they are not going to save the Earth but that they want to show that it is possible.