UK scientists to attempt to ‘dim the sun’ in £50m geoengineering project

The attempted project could temporarily cool the surface of the Earth.

Along with dimming the sun, scientists could experiment with techniques such as launching clouds of reflective particles into the atmosphere or using seawater sprays to make clouds brighter.

Another technique being suggested is the thinning of natural cirrus clouds, which act as heat-trapping blankets.

The project is expected to be greenlit within the coming weeks and should it be successful, it could help cool the planet temporarily.

However, it is not without its critics, as some have warned that attempting such manoeuvres could have damaging effects, such as shifting rain from areas that rely on it for food production.

Others believe that geoengineering could lead to a drop-off in the drive to stop burning fossil fuels, which is the main cause of the issue.

The Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) will fund the project.

The Government has set aside £50 million for the project, but in total, £800 million has been granted for use over the next four years.

Professor Mark Symes, the programme director for ARIA, said: "Decarbonisation is vital, but our current progress puts us at risk of triggering a large number of temperature-induced climate tipping points.

“This programme will explore critical unanswered questions as to how (or whether) we might cool the Earth safely and responsibly on the timescales required to avoid climate catastrophe."