Why Private Companies Messing with the Sun is a Bad Idea

The Risky Business of Sunlight Reflection

Scientists have been studying sunlight reflection methods (SRM) for years. It might help some countries deal with extreme heat, but it's not a simple solution.

Private Companies Enter the Field

• Make Sunsets sells "cooling credits"
• Sunscreen plans to use aerosols to cool small areas

Concerns and Controversies

• Trust issues: Many people don't trust this idea
• Side effects: Worries about unknown consequences
• Control: Who will regulate these technologies?

Financial Interests vs. Scientific Decisions

Companies need to make profits, which could pressure governments to use these tools. Decisions about SRM should be based on science, not financial interests.

Claims vs. Reality

• Stardust claims its particles are safe and inert
• Scientists disagree: Any particle in the stratosphere could affect the ozone layer
• Sulfuric acid might be a better option

Environmental Impacts

• Sulfate aerosols have been studied for over a century
• New, untested particles could pose unknown risks

The Complexity of SRM

• Balancing risks and benefits
• Ensuring equity
• Making decisions in a divided world

These are not problems that can be solved by profit motives alone.