Researchers Propose Mining , the Moon For Dust to , Block the Sun from Earth.
'The Guardian' reports that researchers have
proposed firing plumes of moon dust into space
in order to deflect the sun's rays away from Earth. .
The concept involves creating a "solar shield" by
mining the moon for millions of tons of dust that
will be used to partially block incoming sunlight.
A really exciting part of our study
was the realization that the natural
lunar dust grains are just the right
size and composition for efficiently
scattering sunlight away from Earth, Ben Bromley, Theoretical astrophysicist at the University of Utah, via 'The Guardian'.
Since it takes much less energy to launch
these grains from the moon’s surface,
as compared with an Earth launch,
the ‘moonshot’ idea really stood out for us, Ben Bromley, Theoretical astrophysicist at
the University of Utah, via 'The Guardian'.
According to Ben Bromley, a theoretical astrophysicist at the
University of Utah who led the research, getting the mining and
projective equipment to the moon presents a "significant project.".
Bromley argues that this approach offers an advantage over other
geoengineering proposals that have raised concerns over
spraying reflective particles within the Earth's atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Bromley stressed that the primary
task facing humanity remains reducing
planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions.
Frank Biermann, professor of global sustainability governance
at Utrecht University, warns that geoengineering is a dangerous
distraction from transitioning away from fossil fuels.
What is needed are massive cutbacks
in greenhouse gas emissions, which require
rapid technological advancement and
socioeconomic transitions. Mining the
moon is not the answer that we need, Frank Biermann, Professor of global sustainability
governance at Utrecht University, via 'The Guardian'