A startup says it's begun releasing particles into the atmosphere, in an effort to tweak the climate

[highplainsdem]

Found this thanks to a message on Mastodon from Peter Gleick, who calls this climate vandalism:
https://masto.ai/@[e-mail]/109574940783058670

From the MIT Technology Review: https://www.technologyreview.com/2022/12/24/1066041/a-startup-says-its-begun-releasing-particles-into-the-atmosphere-in-an-effort-to-tweak-the-climate/

A startup claims it has launched weather balloons that may have released reflective sulfur particles in the stratosphere, potentially crossing a controversial barrier in the field of solar geoengineering.

-snip-

Some researchers who have long studied the technology are deeply troubled that the company, Make Sunsets, appears to have moved forward with launches from a site in Mexico without any public engagement or scientific scrutiny. It’s already attempting to sell “cooling credits” for future balloon flights that could carry larger payloads.

Several researchers MIT Technology Review spoke with condemned the effort to commercialize geoengineering at this early stage. Some potential investors and customers who have reviewed the company’s proposals say that it’s not a serious scientific effort or a credible business but more of an attention grab designed to stir up controversy in the field.

Luke Iseman, the cofounder and CEO of Make Sunsets, acknowledges that the effort is part entrepreneurial and part provocation, an act of geoengineering activism.

-snip-

[Faux pas]

1. Let's

Fuck around and find out. After all it's the only planet we have.

[Lulu KC]

2. What could possibly go wrong?

Argh

[patphil]

4. More that simple vandalism.

Peter Gleick is right, although I would consider it more of a terrorist act than simple vandalism.
It's evident this is a form of deliberate air pollution that can mess up the weather even more than it already is.

They're doing this without any idea what it will result in.

[NNadir]

5. Assholes.

[wackadoo wabbit]

6. I swear, this sounds like the beginning of a terrifying SF movie ... n/t

[OnlinePoker]

7. Sounds like this asshole

No control or authorization. Just do it.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/oct/17/canada-geoengineering-pacific

[DBoon]

8. like starfish prime?

Starfish Prime was a high-altitude nuclear test conducted by the United States, a joint effort of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and the Defense Atomic Support Agency. It was launched from Johnston Atoll on July 9, 1962, and was the largest nuclear test conducted in outer space, and one of five conducted by the US in space.

A Thor rocket carrying a W49 thermonuclear warhead (designed at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory) and a Mk. 2 reentry vehicle was launched from Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, about 900 miles (1,450 km) west-southwest of Hawaii. The explosion took place at an altitude of 250 miles (400 km), above a point 19 miles (31 km) southwest of Johnston Atoll. It had a yield of 1.4 Mt (5.9 PJ). The explosion was about 10° above the horizon as seen from Hawaii, at 11 pm Hawaii time.[1]: 3 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish_Prime

[rubbersole]

9. What won't humans fuck up?

I still think single use plastics will win the Environmental Damage Catastrophe Award of the century.