The Balloon Goes Up?

A 'Plan B' in attempts to deal with the potentially devastating effects of global heating, is to simulate the effects of a volcanic explosion. This is termed 'Solar Engineering'. It has long been known, that big volcanic eruptions fire particles of dust high into the atmosphere. These, then, cool the planet, by reflecting solar radiation back into space. On February 15th 2021, a Harvard University group, working in conjunction with the Swedish Space Corporation, on the SCoPEx project, is hoping to test some of the technology for Solar Engineering (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/08/solar-geoengineering-test-flight-plan-under-fire-over-environmental-concerns-aoe). SCoPEx hope to launch a balloon and gondola from Kiruna (in the Lapland region of North Sweden) to a height of 20 km. If the technology works, it would later be possible, to use the platform to make atmospheric aerosol injections of Calcium carbonate, high in the atmosphere. The plan is, however, being bitterly opposed by many environmental groups in Sweden and elsewhere. Objectors argue that the effects of atmospheric aerosol injections are uncertain and may prove hazardous in unpredictable ways. Although SCoPEx is, at this stage, only wanting to test the balloon, the objectors argue the Swedish government should reject the project, on the basis of its intended aim (atmospheric aerosol injections). A leader of the Harvard group (Frank Keulsch) claims he shares some of the objector's current concerns but feels that Solar Engineering has to be scientifically evaluated. Solar Engineering seems to be a relatively crude and poorly understood technology. The approach, however, is very simple. There is nothing to stop people and governments in other parts of the world (where objectors will have less traction), flying balloons. If there are dangers associated with Solar Engineering, we need to be aware of them, to enable the activity to be regulated. What might be beneficial to one country, could have dire consequences for their neighbours (e.g. there are similar issues associated with technologies to stimulate rainfall).