Trump EPA targets two-man geoengineering startup for 'polluting the air'
a year ago
- #startup
- #climate change
- #geoengineering
- Humans struggle to quit fossil fuels, leading to debates on geoengineering to prevent catastrophic warming.
- Make Sunsets, a startup, releases sulfur dioxide via weather balloons to reflect sunlight and cool Earth.
- The company sells 'cooling credits' and has raised $750,000 from investors like Boost VC and Draper Associates.
- Sulfur dioxide's role in global albedo was accidentally proven when sulfur in marine fuels was reduced in 2020.
- Geoengineering with sulfur dioxide may have unpredictable effects, such as altering rainfall patterns in different regions.
- Sulfur dioxide near the ground can worsen asthma and respiratory issues, raising EPA concerns.
- Make Sunsets claims its actions are legal under the Weather Modification Act of 1976, though the law's applicability is unclear.
- The EPA is investigating Make Sunsets, despite coal power plants releasing vastly more sulfur dioxide annually.
- The debate highlights tensions between innovative climate solutions and regulatory oversight.