UK scientists are to launch outdoor geoengineering experiments as part of a £50m government-funded programme.
The experiments will be small-scale and rigorously assessed, according to Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), the UK government agency backing the plan, and will provide “critical” data needed to assess the potential of the technology.
The programme, along with another £11m project, will make the UK one of the biggest funders of geoengineering research in the world.
Geoengineering is controversial and some previous planned outdoor experiments have been cancelled after strong opposition. Most geoengineering proposals aim to block sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface, for example by launching clouds of reflective particles into the atmosphere or using seawater sprays to make clouds brighter.
🇬🇧 UK PLANS TO TURN DOWN THE SUN—WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 23, 2025
The UK government is about to green-light experiments to dim the Sun.
Yep, the plan is to tinker with the atmosphere—brighten some clouds here, sprinkle some aerosols there—and bounce sunlight back into space to… https://t.co/gyTjobtpL6 pic.twitter.com/wQbb5lly11
