Lasers can be used to curb climate change effects. Laboratory experiments show dusting the atmosphere with ice crystals can reduce global warming. These ice crystals can be produced and spread on the atmosphere with laser blasts.
Researchers from the University of Geneva recreated conditions that form ice crystals in the atmosphere, and then blasting these crystals into minute fragments. These scattered fragments cover larger areas, thereby reflecting more light and radiation back to space. Real-world applications of the technique could help curb global warming caused by climate change.
Lasers Reduce Climate Change Effects
Daily Mail reports the process can increase the reflective index of the upper atmosphere, in an effort to readjust the earth's climate. The authors of the study also claim it can be used to study the climate and to manipulate weather conditions.
According to the study, "Our results open prospects to modifying the particle size distribution and, thus, the albedo of cirrus ice particle clouds." Lasers can also be used to seed clouds and create ice on the atmosphere.
Is Cloud-Blasting Geoengineering?
Some researchers are cautious about the technology, though, speculating that it could adversly affect the environment. Contrails left by planes can be considered as unintentional geoengineering. Though studies remain inconclusive, it's possible these and similar activities interfere on natural ice-forming, affecting the atmosphere's albedo.
The experiment was conducted on water droplets injected into a chamber. Though the laser blasts were efficient at breaking down ice crystals into fragments, it's projected the large-scale applications of the technology is still a long way off.
Mary Matthews is one of the authors of the study, and she confirms the improvement of laser technology eventually makes real-world applications feasible. "What we are hoping for is that the advances in laser technology, which are moving faster and faster all the time, will enable high-powered, mobile lasers," she said in a Society of Science report.
Trude Storelvmo warns the technique can also backfire, causing damage instead. She said breaking clouds to expand coverage might actually warn the earth. The technique "could potentially work, but only if you target certain types of cirrus clouds," said Storelvmo.
