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Trump EPA targets two-man geoengineering startup for ‘polluting the air’
The Trump EPA is investigating MakeSunsets, a startup releasing weather balloons with sulfur dioxide to cool the Earth. Despite claims of legality, concerns arise over potential air pollution and unknown climate impacts. Critics point out the EPA's hypocrisy, as power plants emit far more sulfur dioxide than the balloons will.
Key points
- MakeSunsets, a two-man startup, releases weather balloons filled with sulfur dioxide to reflect sunlight and cool the Earth.
- The EPA is investigating the company due to concerns about air pollution from sulfur dioxide, which is regulated.
- The Weather Modification Act of 1976 is being cited by MakeSunsets to defend their actions but its applicability to climate modification is unclear.
- Scientists express caution regarding geoengineering practices due to potential unintended climatic effects such as altering rainfall patterns.
- Despite the EPA's actions, the pollution from coal power plants vastly exceeds any emissions from MakeSunsets, raising questions of fairness.
Why it matters
- The investigation reflects broader debates about geoengineering as a potential solution to climate change in light of insufficient progress in carbon emission reductions.
- The controversial use of sulfur dioxide in geoengineering has parallels with historical practices, such as marine shipping fuel reductions and its impact on global albedo.
- As of 2023, IT trends indicate a growing emphasis on sustainable technology and innovation in climate solutions, making startups like MakeSunsets relevant to the discourse on environmental policy.
The ongoing investigation into MakeSunsets epitomizes the complexities of regulating geoengineering, where innovative climate solutions confront regulatory frameworks, highlighting the urgent need for coherent climate policy.