Sunshades for Earth!

A group of scientist from Harvard University have conducted extensive research in an effort to slow down global warming. This research led to the creation of the "stratospheric controlled perturbation effect," or SCoPEx for short.

This experiment consists of "using a balloon to test the controversial proposition that aerosols released at a height of 20km (~12.5 miles) in the Earth’s atmosphere can alter the reflective properties of cloud cover" (Beaumont, Peter). This technology stems from what is known as "solar geoengineering," which is the "injection of aerosol particles into the stratosphere to reflect away the little inbound sunlight" (Beaumont, Peter).

There are now dozens of scholars from various countries across the world who have joined the debate, claiming they have the most to gain and lose from the potential sunshade. These countries include Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Jamaica and Thailand.

However, there is still a large amount of controversy as they argue "it is too early to know what the effects could be: it could be very helpful or very harmful" (Beaumont, Peter). Others counter-argue that for countries like Bangladesh, it could be less risky than passing the 1.5C (34.7 F) warming goal. They also state that conducting research in those developing countries could help in the study and effects of solar geoengineering (droughts, floods, monsoons, etc.).

In a leaked draft report about global warming, it can be read that the United Nations panel suggests the proposed technology may be "economically, socially and institutionally infeasible" (Beaumont, Peter).

Beaumont, Peter. "Scientists Suggest A Giant Sunshade In The Sky Could Solve Global Warming." The Guardian, 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/apr/05/scientists-suggest-giant-sunshade-in-sky-could-solve-global-warming.