Make Sunsets is a controversial start-up in South Dakota utilizing weather balloons to inject sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere with the aim of cooling the Earth. While the company promotes its method as an effective carbon offset solution, many researchers warn that its unregulated approach could undermine responsible geoengineering research and provoke unintended environmental consequences. Experts emphasize the necessity of public engagement and governance in the field, as seen in the failed SCoPEX project at Harvard. Wider discussions around equity and understanding are encouraged to harmonize efforts in solar geoengineering research and practices.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weather balloons to combat climate change | From traditional climate solutions to geoengineering | Increased use of geoengineering techniques | Urgent need to reduce global temperatures |
| Make Sunsets offers cooling credits | From environmental safeguards to commercial credits | Expanded market for geoengineering interventions | Demand for carbon offsets by corporations and individuals |
| Controversy around regulation of geoengineering | From unregulated actions to stricter governance | Stricter regulations and international oversight | Safeguarding responsible climate intervention methods |
| Concerns about unintended consequences | From minimal understanding to awareness of risks | Enhanced research into geoengineering impacts | Necessity for collective understanding of risks |
| Divisions within climate science communities | From isolated research to collaborative efforts | Greater unity and public engagement in climate strategies | Need for public trust and social legitimacy |
| Indigenous concerns influencing geoengineering research | From exclusion to inclusion of vulnerable voices | Broader stakeholder engagement in climate discussions | Ethical considerations in climate interventions |
| Shift toward international governance frameworks | From national purview to global cooperation | Formalized guidelines for solar geoengineering | Recognition of climate change as a global issue |
| Increasing grassroots awareness and education | From elitist discourse to public engagement | Well-informed citizenry on geoengineering issues | Demand for climate literacy and transparency |