Geoengineering atmosphere to reflect sun’s heat ‘no better than shot in the dark’, scientists warn

Research shows reductions in burning greenhouse gases, not attempts to reflect the sun, are the best way to mitigate the climate crisis, writes Harry Cockburn

Using particulates or aerosols to reflect some of the sun’s energy is no longer within the realm of science fiction, but its impacts could be unexpected and far reaching (Getty)

The cooling effect of large volcanic eruptions is well documented, with eruptions believed to be a major contributing factor behind natural phenomena such as the little ice age when temperatures began to drop by around a degree in Europe during the 1500s.

The particles ejected by the immense power of large eruptions hung in the atmosphere effectively shielding the surface of the Earth from the sun’s rays.

As the climate crisis worsens - nine of the hottest years in human history have occurred in the last decade - scientists are pondering whether using technology to reflect some of the sun’s energy could similarly but the brakes on runaway global warming.