Alameda, California, has become embroiled in a discussion about the feasibility and approach to investigate geoengineering initiatives aimed at combating global warming.
Last month, scientists surprised officials in a Northern California city with a project aimed at studying technology that could potentially brighten clouds and mitigate global warming.
The experiment involved spraying saltwater along the deck of the USS Hornet—an aircraft carrier docked in Alameda serving as a museum—to test devices capable of creating and measuring plumes of aerosols. The team scheduled three sprays per day, four days a week for 20 weeks.
Although the actions were deemed harmless, environmental consultants hired by the city found no safety concerns. However, the project’s implications have sparked a broader discussion in Alameda about the exploration of geoengineering technologies to combat climate change and the appropriate stakeholders involved.
Led by a team from the University of Washington, the project is among the first attempts to test marine cloud-brightening technology in the United States.
City officials and residents in Alameda expressed surprise upon learning the full details of the project following a report published by The New York Times in April. The researchers had kept the specifics of their testing under wraps due to anticipated controversy.
Subsequently, city leaders ordered a halt to the project, citing a violation of the lease with the USS Hornet. The Alameda city council is set to decide the project’s fate in a meeting scheduled for June 4.
Cloud brightening concepts aim to enhance the reflectivity of low-level ocean clouds by increasing the number of water droplets, potentially leading to increased sunlight reflection. However, concerns exist regarding potential unintended consequences, such as shifts in atmospheric circulation.
The experiments conducted on the aircraft carrier’s deck involved spraying saltwater to create tiny salt particles, which were then measured by instruments along the flight deck.
According to Rob Wood, a professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington and project leader, the studies are focused on basic scientific research and are not intended to alter clouds or impact local weather or climate.