University College London proposed applying existing cargo aircraft to disperse sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere over the poles at an altitude of around 13 km. The model showed that if about 12 million tons of sulfur dioxide were introduced each year during specific seasons in the Arctic and Antarctic, the average temperature of the Earth could be temporarily reduced by 0.6°C. The effect is comparable to the cooling following the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.
Until now, it has been thought that climate geoengineering would require special aircraft that rise above 20 km. This approach would require more material and is less effective, but it could be implemented already, without waiting for new technologies.
Such a strategy requires high precision, international coordination, and strict control of environmental consequences. However, this method turns global climate geoengineering from a futuristic scenario into a program that is manageable and technically feasible. It could help buy a decade or two, giving countries time to cut emissions, rework energy systems, and adapt. The key point is that humanity should not delay real emissions reductions while relying on temporary successes.
Source: ScienceDaily
URL: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/04/250428221708.htm
