Solar geoengineering startups are getting serious
The Rise of Solar Geoengineering Startups: A New Era of Climate Intervention
The concept of solar geoengineering, which involves manipulating the climate by bouncing sunlight back into space, has been debated by researchers for decades. However, the categories of the field have been limited to academic research and proposed debates. Now, things are getting more serious. The emergence of startups like Stardust Solutions, which recently raised a $60 million funding round, is making some researchers nervous.
A Brief History of Solar Geoengineering
The idea of using solar geoengineering to address planetary warming dates back to the 1960s. Researchers have considered the possibility of mimicking the natural process of volcanic eruptions, which spew sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, reducing temperatures. The thought is that we could release particles into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight and cool the planet.
The Rise of Private Sector Interest
In recent years, we've seen more interest in geoengineering from the private sector. Three years ago, James Temple broke the story that Make Sunsets, a California-based company, was already releasing particles into the atmosphere in an effort to tweak the climate. The company's CEO, Luke Iseman, went to Baja California in Mexico, stuck some sulfur dioxide into a weather balloon, and sent it skyward. The amount of material was tiny, and it's not clear that it even made it into the right part of the atmosphere to reflect any sunlight.
The Concerns Surrounding Private Sector Geoengineering
The fears that this group or others could go rogue and do their own geoengineering led to widespread backlash. Mexico announced plans to restrict geoengineering experiments in the country a few weeks after that news broke. You can still buy cooling credits from Make Sunsets, and the company was just granted a patent for its system. However, the startup is seen as something of a fringe actor.
The Emergence of Stardust Solutions
Enter Stardust Solutions, a company that has been working under the radar for a few years but has started talking about its work more publicly this year. In October, it announced a significant funding round, led by some top names in climate investing. "Stardust is serious, and now it's raised serious money from serious people," as James Temple puts it in his new story.
The Concerns Surrounding Stardust Solutions
That's making some experts nervous. Even those who believe we should be researching geoengineering are concerned about what it means for private companies to do so. "Adding business interests, profit motives, and rich investors into this situation just creates more cause for concern, complicating the ability of responsible scientists and engineers to carry out the work needed to advance our understanding," write David Keith and Daniele Visioni, two leading figures in geoengineering research, in a recent opinion piece for MIT Technology Review.
Stardust's Response
Stardust insists that it won't move forward with any geoengineering until and unless it's commissioned to do so by governments and there are rules and bodies in place to govern use of the technology. However, there's no telling how financial pressure might change that, down the road. And we're already seeing some of the challenges faced by a private company in this space: the need to keep trade secrets.
The Challenge of Transparency
Stardust is currently not sharing information about the particles it intends to release into the sky, though it says it plans to do so once it secures a patent, which could happen as soon as next year. The company argues that its proprietary particles will be safe, cheap to manufacture, and easier to track than the already abundant sulfur dioxide. However, at this point, there's no way for external experts to evaluate those claims.
The Importance of Transparency
As Keith and Visioni put it: "Research won't be useful unless it's trusted, and trust depends on transparency." This is a crucial point, especially when it comes to geoengineering, which has the potential to affect the entire planet.
The Future of Geoengineering
The emergence of startups like Stardust Solutions is a sign that the field of geoengineering is becoming more serious. However, it's also a reminder of the challenges and concerns that come with private sector involvement in this area. As we move forward, it's essential that we prioritize transparency, accountability, and caution.
The Implications for Climate Policy
The rise of solar geoengineering startups has significant implications for climate policy. It highlights the need for governments to establish clear regulations and guidelines for the use of geoengineering technologies. It also underscores the importance of international cooperation and coordination in addressing the challenges and risks associated with geoengineering.
The Role of Research
Research is essential in understanding the potential benefits and risks of geoengineering. It's crucial that we continue to fund and support research in this area, while also ensuring that it's conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
Conclusion
The emergence of solar geoengineering startups like Stardust Solutions is a sign that the field is becoming more serious. However, it's also a reminder of the challenges and concerns that come with private sector involvement in this area. As we move forward, it's essential that we prioritize transparency, accountability, and caution. The future of geoengineering will depend on our ability to navigate these complexities and ensure that this technology is used in a responsible and sustainable manner.
