Scientific Climate Modification: ‘Weather’ or not?

DEREK WU
Staff Writer

“It’s hot!” is often said in California and other states, especially in recent years as the temperature has been rising due to constant burning of fossil fuels in the U.S. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide and contributes to the “greenhouse blanket” that causes temperatures to rise, according to World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

One temporary solution in solving this temperature rise is “geoengineering,” or the scientific modification of Earth’s temperatures. According to the Washington Post, scientists would use a method called “albedo modification,” injecting copious amounts of sulfate aerosol into the atmosphere in order to deflect light away from the earth and cool down temperatures. No negative effects are known from this process; however “albedo” is not a permanent solution and proves only a way for America to continue to procrastinate on fixing the environment and global warming.

Resorting to implanting more chemicals in the air as a method to fix temperature rises emphasizes how big of a problem global warming is.

A better and more long-term solution to cool down the earth is simply reducing the amount of fossil fuels we burn. According to the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, this can be done by cities using solar power or wind power and switching fuels from coal and oil to natural gas.

Using these alternatives would benefit the U.S as it would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and ultimately lower temperatures, leading America to a better environment. This will essentially prove to be a better solution in attempting to solve our climate crisis as opposed to recklessly emitting more carbon dioxide in the air.