International experts have been researching a giant sunshade placed in space to help combat global climate change.
In fact, the idea of this colossal sunshade has been discussed for many years, but recently the Planetary Sunshade Foundation published a paper supporting this initiative and highlighting its practicality.
The Planetary Sunshade Foundation argues that the sunshade for Earth could be the best solution for managing solar radiation. It should also be viewed as an essential part of global efforts to combat the complex ongoing climate change on our planet.
The giant space sunshade helps combat climate change. (Photo: Earth.com).
In reality, addressing the worst impacts of climate change can be based on three main pillars: reducing emissions, removing carbon dioxide, and managing solar radiation. Expanding on this issue, Morgan Goodwin, the Executive Director of the Planetary Sunshade Foundation, clarified that current decarbonization strategies are necessary but insufficient to create a long-term, sustainable livable planet.
Morgan Goodwin further stated: “The decarbonization process involves reducing carbon dioxide emissions by utilizing low-carbon energy sources. To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, the world must quickly eliminate fossil fuel use, remove billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere, and particularly limit the solar radiation reaching Earth.”
According to him, among all the methods being researched to reduce solar radiation, the giant sunshade has many advantages worth investing in. Advertised as a “superstructure” in space, the giant sunshade would be installed at the L1 point between the Sun and Earth (which is also an ideal point for solar observation). When placed correctly, it can reduce the amount of solar radiation, helping to retain heat in Earth’s atmosphere by reflecting solar radiation back into space.
In response to this initiative, there are opposing views stating: “We should not toy with Mother Nature!” Goodwin countered this by pointing out that humans are causing large-scale disruptions to Mother Nature through industrial activities. He further remarked: “Our existence as a civilization must depend on our ability to wisely and intentionally change how we interact with our planet.”
