Scientists Propose Using Lasers to Fight Global Warming

2014-08-24T23:21:00-04:00

At the world's first major geoengineering conference, two separate scientists put forward proposals to use lasers to modify the Earth's climate and fight global warming, from space. One suggested that a satellite equipped with a high-powered laser could grow clouds in the atmosphere below; the other proposed lasers that would blast greenhouse gases from orbit to effectively erase the agents of climate change.

For those unaware, geoengineering, in this context, refers to large-scale, intentional interventions in the Earth's climate, particularly towards the end of fighting global warming. There are two main categories of proposed technologies: carbon-dioxide removal and solar radiation management. In general, many in the scientific community and general public reject most proposed geoengineering projects for various technical reasons, as well as feasibility, cost, and their potentially devastating repercussions. Moreover, one could contend that the hubris behind the idea that humans can tinker with delicate systems that we don't fully understand is exactly what got us in this "mess." On the other hand, the other two ways to potentially combat climate change or reduce future devastation – mitigation and adaptation – aren't exactly going accordingly to plan.

While generally sounding more like science fiction than reality, weather manipulation has actually been going on for decades although ...

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Scientists Propose Using Lasers to Fight Global Warming