Reflecting Sunlight into Space Could Slow Global Warming

Scientists see unmanned yachts "seeding" Earth's clouds with seawater as a hedge against global warming.

1 minute read

February 15, 2005, 7:00 AM PST

By Michael Dudley


"Using nothing more than salt water and wind power, [scientists]have designed a device that will increase the reflectivity of some of the Earth's clouds, bouncing more incoming sunlight back into space...To produce this fine mist of sea spray artificially... thousands of unmanned yachts [would zigag] across the sea, carrying equipment to make very choppy waves, known as Faraday waves. A high-frequency ultrasonic generator would spin seawater around inside a grooved drum, producing tiny waves that are thinner than a human hair."

Thanks to Michael Dudley

Thursday, February 10, 2005 in The Guardian Unlimited

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