US scientists launch world's biggest solar geoengineering study

Science is not my forte, but I've been distressed ever since reading about the methane loop[1]. Part of me wishes I had never looked at the data [2]. Scientists are now trying to "to establish whether the technology can safely simulate the atmospheric cooling effects of a volcanic eruption, if a last ditch bid to halt climate change is one day needed."

> Frank Keutsch, the Harvard atmospheric sciences professor leading the experiment, said that the deployment of a solar geoengineering system was “a terrifying prospect” that he hoped would never have to be considered. “At the same time, we should never choose ignorance over knowledge in a situation like this,” he said.

The Paris climate goals are overly ambitious, due to the inertia of policymakers [3]. Particle injection is going to buy us more time.

> If lab tests are positive, the experiment would then be replicated with a limestone compound which the researchers believe will neither absorb solar or terrestrial radiation, nor deplete the ozone layer.

[1] http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/news/n0905-7000-u...

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPdc75epOEw

[3] http://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/3/23/15028480...