CEO proposes satellites to combat global warming: “Small adjustments would be enough. The Earth has been a snowball many times.”
The tycoon Elon Musk has once again surprised the world, this time with a highly ambitious proposal, for two (literally) giant reasons: the CEO of SpaceX seems to want to cover the Sun and, thus, save the world.
To face the global climate crisis, Musk suggested this Monday the creation of a constellation of satellites powered by solar energy and equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), capable of adjusting the amount of solar radiation that reaches the Earth, in an attempt to control the warming or cooling of the planet.
“A large constellation of solar-powered artificial intelligence satellites would be capable of preventing global warming by making small adjustments to the amount of solar energy reaching Earth,” the multibillionaire, on his social network, X.
Asked by a user about how the AI constellation would guarantee precise and equitable adjustments in solar energy in all hemispheres of the Earth, taking into account seasonal variations and potential geopolitical conflicts over control, Musk reinforced that “small adjustments would be enough to avoid global warming or global cooling.
“The Earth has snowballed many times in the past”, concluded the tycoon, without, however, presenting specific details about the project.
The idea is part of the geoengineering concept known as Solar Radiation Modification (SRM), which consists of blocking or reflecting part of solar radiation to reduce the global average temperature. The tycoon last decade, and did so with this plan in mind in 2021.
In recent years, several companies have explored SRM technologies, including launching thousands of orbital mirrors or using aerosols to replicate the effects of volcanic eruptions. None of them, however, are close to large-scale implementation. SpaceX’s entry into this sector would place a technological giant in an industry that is still in its infancy.
In the case of Musk’s Starlink, much more “fruit” is needed. The space company’s current fleet of almost 9,000 satellites could not be adapted for this purpose, explains , requiring the creation of a new division dedicated exclusively to the project, which would imply estimated costs in the order of several billion dollars.
Many experts warn, however, of the risks and limitations of this approach. They argue that any large-scale intervention in solar radiation would be extremely complex, risky and unpredictablewith potential negative effects on climate patterns, biodiversity, day and night cycles and international relations.
The initiative comes at a time when the planet is approaching a crisis and international efforts to reduce emissions are still very insufficient.
