MIT's new geoengineering climate chance solution: space bubbles

signal · Jul 9, 2022

https://senseable.mit.edu/space-bubbles/

MIT scientists think they’ve discovered how to fully reverse climate change

MIT scientists have proposed a new plan to reverse climate change that uses 'space bubbles' to shield the Earth from the Sun's radiation.

bgr.com

The idea revolves heavily around the creation and deployment of several thin film-like silicon bubbles. The "space bubbles" as they refer to them, would be joined together like a raft. Once expanded in space it would be around the same size as Brazil. The bubbles would then provide an extra buffer against the harmful solar radiation that comes from the Sun.

The goal with these new "space bubbles" would be to ease up or even reverse climate change. The Earth has seen rising temperatures over the past several centuries. In fact, NASA previously released a gif detailing how the global temperature has changed over the years. Now, we're seeing massive "mouths to hell" opening in the permafrost.

There's also the fact that scientists just discovered yet another hole in the Earth's ozone layer. As such, finding ways to ease or reverse climate change continues to be a high priority for many. This new plan is based on a concept first proposed by astronomer Roger Angel. Angel originally suggested using a "cloud" of small spacecraft to shield the Earth from the Sun's radiation.

Researchers at MIT have taken that same basic concept and improved it, though, by changing out inflatable silicon bubbles for the spacecraft that Angel originally proposed. Being able to reverse climate change would be a huge step in the right direction. Shielding the Earth from the Sun's radiation would only be one part of it, though. We'd still need to cut down on other things, too.

But how exactly what a "raft" of space bubbles shield Earth from the Sun's radiation? Well, the basic idea requires sending the bubbles to the L1 Lagrangian Point. This is the location directly between the Earth and the Sun where gravity from both our star and our planet cancels out. As such, the space bubbles would theoretically be able to just float without much pull from either body.

The researchers say we'd probably still need to put some kind of spacecraft out there to help keep things on track. But, it could give us a good chance at reversing climate change, or at least slowing down the changes. It is important to note that MIT does not view this as an alternative solution to our current adapt and mitigate efforts. Instead, it's a backup solution meant to help if things spin out of control.

Backup solution, so they aren't saying let's just keep emitting and pray for bubbles. But if they work, why not? Citing a study, MIT's page says '...if we deflect 1.8% of incident solar radiation before it hits our planet, we could fully reverse today's global warming.'

Also note this does nothing for other issues like ocean acidification. Might need other bubbles for that.

FliX · Jul 9, 2022

That's a lot of bubbles…

DekuBleep · Jul 10, 2022

What is the feasibility of implementing these space bubbles?

Brandino · Jul 10, 2022

What happens if it works too well? Do we just move it to the dark side of the planet until we need it again?

Mathieran · Jul 10, 2022

I've been thinking for a while we are gonna have to engineer our way out of this impending disaster. We don't have what it takes as a species to change our ways. Hopefully this would work.

Lord Fanny · Jul 10, 2022

I mean, at this point, the only thing that can save society as we know it is a miracle at midnight invention. So even if this isn't it (sounds pretty iffy), at least it's nice to know someone is trying their dammest

PSOreo · Jul 10, 2022

I'm under the weather and real sick. Am I reading this right or are they genuinely talking about launching a balloon shield into space to reverse global warming? Wut

FliX · Jul 10, 2022

What could possibly go wrong.

Alien Bob · Jul 10, 2022

DekuBleep said:
What is the feasibility of implementing these space bubbles?

A million times higher than actually addressing the root problem

Ubik · Jul 10, 2022

Sadly probably more realistic than actually implementing a green energy grid and getting corporations and people to reduce consumption in a meaningful time frame at this point. These kinds of insane sci-fi back up plans are gonna be the only real hope.

Deleted user 119316 · Jul 10, 2022

Haehaehae!

Stultitia haec est admirabilis, sed homines hanc planetam nunquam deserent. Id non potest esse, quia dii id non permittunt.

Kyuuji · Jul 10, 2022

If the science is there then go for it. Anything to help bring climate change under control or start to reverse it's affects.

signal · Jul 10, 2022

Alien Bob said:
A million times higher than actually addressing the root problem

Reduce consumption and emissions? 🤢 🤮 🚮
Space bubble radiation shield? 🤔👍🆗

Ultimate Bear Cub · Jul 10, 2022

View: https://youtu.be/mukrE7nEXMU

Brandino said:
What happens if it works too well? Do we just move it to the dark side of the planet until we need it again?

Well conceptually it looks like a mesh that we'd be able to shift in density so there would be a measure of control. But how are we going to make, launch, and maintain such material in a time-span that would be sufficient?

It's neat, but there has to be cheaper solutions...that no one wants to implement.

UltraMagnus · Jul 10, 2022

Ubik said:
Sadly probably more realistic than actually implementing a green energy grid and getting corporations and people to reduce consumption in a meaningful time frame at this point. These kinds of insane sci-fi back up plans are gonna be the only real hope.

Pretty much where I'm at with it too. We're too stupid as a species to manage this issue, will need science to come bail us out.

CDX · Jul 10, 2022

Of course we'll probably try engineering our way out of climate change rather doing things we could have done decades ago to reduce carbon emissions.

Perhaps a better idea than filling our stratosphere with aerosol particles. At least it seems this might be easier to reverse if it doesn't work as intended. I just don't know how we'd actually make and get such a structure to the L1 point.

Dyle · Jul 10, 2022

We can barely make a football field in space and they're asking for Brazil?

sfedai0 · Jul 10, 2022

Hmm, reduce consumption and be less wasteful or build space bubbles? So hard to decide.

coldsagging · Jul 10, 2022

I'm reading a book currently about climate change and one of the sections is about how governments and policy makers are hanging their hats on untested tech like this that might not even work at all, or worse, have unintended effects. Apparently the atmosphere is incredibly complex and the models/computers we use to measure and inform us probably aren't close to being accurate enough.

But governments and policy makers are counting on tech like this and accounting for there supposed impacts in their models to reduce emissions, and they haven't even been used and might not even work at all.

BLEEN · Jul 10, 2022

IGENIOUS!

DiipuSurotu · Jul 10, 2022

Once expanded in space it would be around the same size as Brazil.

808s & Villainy · Jul 10, 2022

Dyle said:
We can barely make a football field in space and they're asking for Brazil?

We've tried making a football field in space before?

Chasex · Jul 10, 2022

signal said:
Reduce consumption and emissions? 🤢 🤮 🚮
Space bubble radiation shield? 🤔👍🆗

Yeah literally this because we are not going to meet emissions targets in time. No one should be fooling themselves about that at this point. We are in climate adaptation space already, and it's going to be carbon sequestering or other mitigation techniques like space bubbles that save us, not mass coordination and sacrifice. I've seen no evidence we are capable of it.

I am well aware of self fulfilling "it's pointless don't do anything" but the reality is that most of this is way out of our hands as individuals. Put up the damn space bubbles.

UltraMagnus · Jul 10, 2022

coldsagging said:
I'm reading a book currently about climate change and one of the sections is about how governments and policy makers are hanging their hats on untested tech like this that might not even work at all, or worse, have unintended effects. Apparently the atmosphere is incredibly complex and the models/computers we use to measure and inform us probably aren't close to being accurate enough.

But governments and policy makers are counting on tech like this and accounting for there supposed impacts in their models to reduce emissions, and they haven't even been used and might not even work at all.

Probably very fair concerns. My guess if something like this is ever tried they will first try a smaller test patch, like something that is much smaller sent into space that maybe blocks say 1/10 of the amount of solar radiation for a few months and then we see what kind of impact it has on the earth's ecosystems.

I don't think you would go from no bubble net straight to full bubble net, unless the situation is so dire that we have no other option (and lets hope it never gets to that point).

Orange Piccolo · Jul 10, 2022

Have we ever made something the size of Brazil before?

DiipuSurotu · Jul 10, 2022

PSOreo said:
I'm under the weather and real sick. Am I reading this right or are they genuinely talking about launching a balloon shield into space to reverse global warming? Wut

Ultimate Bear Cub said:
Well conceptually it looks like a mesh that we'd be able to shift in density so there would be a measure of control. But how are we going to make, launch, and maintain such material in a time-span that would be sufficient?

CDX said:
I just don't know how we'd actually make and get such a structure to the L1 point.

Apparently the bubbles would be built directly in outer space, rather than being built on Earth and transported

Ultimate Bear Cub · Jul 10, 2022

DiipuSurotu said:
Apparently the bubbles would be built directly in outer space, rather than being built on Earth and transported

Yeah that makes sense. I was more driving at the amount of material for a Brazil-sized mesh needed to launch out there. Not even considering any random meteors, comets, or solar ejection that could damage it, during and after construction.

Doggg · Jul 10, 2022

That sounds better than other forms of solar radiation management, such as spraying chemicals into the upper atmosphere. What do I know, though. It just seems to me that we'll probably have to attempt some form of geoengineering, even if it's too late and even if we don't know what the consequences will be, things are going to get so bad.

Liam Allen-Miller · Jul 10, 2022

As far as I'm concerned they should just do this as soon as they can. No amount of "everyone doing their part" will fix the climate crisis at this point because control is too unevenly distributed and the conscious opposition to ecological efforts is too entrenched among those with the power to change things. Bubble us up.

AlgusUnderdunk · Jul 10, 2022

Hrm, tell the rich and powerful to change their ways, or geoengineer giant bubbles in space... Hmmmmm.

Orange Piccolo · Jul 10, 2022

Ultimate Bear Cub said:
Yeah that makes sense. I was more driving at the amount of material for a Brazil-sized mesh needed to launch out there. Not even considering any random meteors, comets, or solar ejection that could damage it, during and after construction.

I think the gravity from the sun and the earth would deal with most damaging projectiles.

The Emperor · Jul 10, 2022

AlgusUnderdunk said:
Hrm, tell the rich and powerful to change their ways, or geoengineer giant bubbles in space... Hmmmmm.

The latter is more realistic though LOL

thewienke · Jul 10, 2022

I feel like we're really good at sending small terrestrial craft to Mars, launching satellites, and shooting probes across the solar system.

Anything involving space beyond those things makes me think this is a 30-40 year project.

bwahhhhh · Jul 10, 2022

The Emperor said:
The latter is more realistic though LOL

if some non-terrestrial method like this actually works (or other geo-engineering solution that doesn't involve reducing/capturing emissions) i feel like many corporations (and governments) will be like "welp, global warming is solved!" and just increase emissions even more

edit: to clarify, I'm glad stuff like this is being researched, i'm just pessimistic about corporations and several governments

CitizenVectron · Jul 10, 2022

So the solution to the current crisis is to rely on technology that hasn't been engineered yet (and won't be for 20-30 years minimum), and won't be feasible to mass-manufacture for...50 years? Congrats on the clickbait article, though.

Hollywood Duo · Jul 10, 2022

Ultimately science is going to have to bail us out again from our own stupid mistakes.

Ketch · Jul 10, 2022

Sounds like the plot to the movie highlander.

Pomerlaw · Jul 10, 2022

CitizenVectron said:
So the solution to the current crisis is to rely on technology that hasn't been engineered yet (and won't be for 20-30 years minimum), and won't be feasible to mass-manufacture for...50 years? Congrats on the clickbait article, though.

Research is never a bad thing. Even MIT themselves said this is not a cope out from reducing emissions.

I'm all for it. Why not study it and be ready if we need it?

We are talking about man made climate change right now, but what if in 50 or 100 or 200 years, there is a natural occuring climate change that could wreck havoc to humanity? Would be let it be because it's "natural"? We shouldn't. That's why scientific research like these are ok imo.

Ultimate Bear Cub · Jul 10, 2022

Orange Piccolo said:
I think the gravity from the sun and the earth would deal with most damaging projectiles.

Well I'm game then Orange Piccolo. Let's save Earth.

Thorn · Jul 10, 2022

At least the space bubble is actually doable.

LegendofJoe · Jul 10, 2022

We geoengineered our way into this mess in the first place. Doing so in the reverse was always going to be necessary.

I still maintain that bioengineering staple crops to take in more CO2 and store it in the soil via deeper roots is the most promising route.

Mivey · Jul 10, 2022

DiipuSurotu said:

Look, Brazil is pretty damn big, you know.
(and perhaps that graphic isn't up to relative scale)

Teh_Lurv · Jul 10, 2022

Brandino said:
What happens if it works too well? Do we just move it to the dark side of the planet until we need it again?

We simply construct and launch a giant space needle to pop them.

DiipuSurotu · Jul 10, 2022

CitizenVectron said:
So the solution to the current crisis is to rely on technology that hasn't been engineered yet (and won't be for 20-30 years minimum), and won't be feasible to mass-manufacture for...50 years? Congrats on the clickbait article, though.

We found the COVID vaccine in less than one year

BlackGoku03 · Jul 10, 2022

DekuBleep said:
What is the feasibility of implementing these space bubbles?

This reminds me of the ozone aerosol from a few years back. They can replenish what has been lost but they don't know how to deliver it to the atmosphere… or it's too expensive to develop.

Same with carbon capture machines. They already exist but their power hungry and expensive.

And then there's this. It'll prob cost too much to implement even though it'll help.

Garp TXB · Jul 10, 2022

LegendofJoe said:
We geoengineered our way into this mess in the first place. Doing so in the reverse was always going to be necessary.

I still maintain that bioengineering staple crops to take in more CO2 and store it in the soil via deeper roots is the most promising route.

Has there been any progress on something like that? It's the first I've heard of that idea

LegendofJoe · Jul 10, 2022

Garp TXB said:
Has there been any progress on something like that? It's the first I've heard of that idea

Harnessing Plants Initiative - Salk Institute for Biological Studies

“If we can optimize plants’ natural ability to capture and store carbon, we can develop plants that not only have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but that can also help enrich soils and increase crop yields.” Joanne ChorySalk Professor and Harnessing Plants Initiative...

www.salk.edu

View: https://youtu.be/JSv5UkuRV-A

They aren't the only group working on this. There are others throughout the world and many of their bioengineered crops and plants have already been put in the soil.

Euron · Jul 10, 2022

I'm all for this. You will never incentivize global behavioral change long term. Bring on Bubble Brazil.

JaseC64 · Jul 10, 2022

Gop: "waste of money on these pet projects. Let's cut funding further and invest in coal!"

Watch.

Garp TXB · Jul 10, 2022

LegendofJoe said:
Harnessing Plants Initiative - Salk Institute for Biological Studies

“If we can optimize plants’ natural ability to capture and store carbon, we can develop plants that not only have the potential to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but that can also help enrich soils and increase crop yields.” Joanne ChorySalk Professor and Harnessing Plants Initiative...

www.salk.edu

View: https://youtu.be/JSv5UkuRV-A

Fascinating, thanks for that.

Here's hoping it can work as well as they think (and that it isn't horribly exploited somehow to feed the capitalism maw and leave behind vulnerable peoples, but that's another topic)

MIT's new geoengineering climate chance solution: space bubbles

Master of the Reality Stone

Master of the Reality Stone

Account closed at user request

The Favonius Fox

One Winged Slayer

▲ Legend ▲

Erarboreal

Enlightened