Concern about climate change on Earth is becoming more alarming and leaves more consequences as time goes by. He Paris Agreementthe one within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention that establishes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, does not seem to be enough.
Looking for alternatives and possible solutions, an international group of scientists seems to have hit the nail on the head for our salvation: throwing lunar dust on our planet.
As a report published on the website of computer todaythis drastic measure is basicallye create a shield around the Earth with dust extracted from our natural satellite, using a rail gun.
The concept can be read in its entirety in a study in PLOS Climatein which scientists Benjamin Bromley, Sameer Khan and Scott Kenyon theorized about the possibility of creating this shield to deflect the sun’s rays from the earthruling out a previous theory about coal and sea salt as protection against the astro.
The research argues that lunar dust is just the right size and composition to efficiently scatter sunlight from our planet.
An ambitious and expensive plan
The first question we all ask ourselves is how experts will be able to extract lunar dust to protect the planet. Obviously, a base on the Moon is needed with a series of devices that are capable of taking the dust and launching it to the surface of the Earth.
The problem with this plan is that it is extremely expensive, especially since lunar dust needs to be mined and released into our world on a regular basis for it to work.
“Nothing should distract us from reducing greenhouse gas emissions here on Earth. Our strategy may just be a shot at the moon, but we must explore all possibilities, in case we need more time to do the work here at home.”, conclude the researchers.