Bill Gates Wants to Dim the Sun

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has put millions of dollars into research on solar geoengineering, a set of ideas for cooling the planet by blocking part of the sunlight that reaches Earth.

Key points

• Gates is one of the backers of Harvard University's Solar Geoengineering Research Program, set up in 2017.
• Harvard concluded the experiment in March 2024 after delays and public criticism.
• This comes over a month after Gates' expressed interest in entering Pakistan's agriculture for dedicated projects.
• Gates has additionally been active in Pakistan, where he has backed projects in agriculture and donated to flood relief.
• Scientists and researchers warn that trying to dim the sun could damage the ozone layer, growth air pollution, and shift weather patterns throughout borders.

This comes over a month after Gates' expressed interest in entering Pakistan's agriculture for dedicated projects. Locals strongly rejected the billionaire's announcement.

In practice, the most discussed method would release tiny reflective particles high in the atmosphere.

These particles would bounce some sunlight back into space. It could bring global temperatures down. The effect is similar to what happens after a sizeable volcanic eruption. Bill Gates Should Stay Away From Pakistan. How the Research Is Funded.

Gates is one of the backers of Harvard University's Solar Geoengineering Research Program, set up in 2017. Other funders include the Hewlett Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Much of Gates' funding in this area has not been publicly disclosed.

In practice, the program backed a small outdoor experiment called SCoPEx. It planned to release a small amount of particles from a high-altitude balloon to study how they behave.

Harvard concluded the experiment in March 2024 after delays and public criticism. Research under the wider program continues. Gates Notes Research, Not Deployment.

Gates has drawn a line between studying the technology and using it. In an interview with Axios, he remarked he would backing deploying it only if the world hit dangerous climate tipping points.

"No way am I pushing the world in that direction, " he remarked, adding that knowledge concerning the technology could be "quite valuable."

He additionally named two worries. Relying on it could slow efforts to cut fossil fuel employ, and scientists still don't fully understand how the particles could affect rainfall or cause droughts in some regions. Why It Is Controversial.

Scientists and researchers warn that trying to dim the sun could damage the ozone layer, growth air pollution, and shift weather patterns throughout borders. Only a few outdoor tests have been carried out so far.

Gates has additionally been active in Pakistan, where he has backed projects in agriculture and donated to flood relief. Pakistanis have strongly disapproved his involvement in the country so far. Stay Connected with ProPakistani.

Obtain the latest business news, market insights, and economic updates wherever you prefer. Follow on Google Discover. Follow on Google News Join WhatsApp. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.

Taken together, the developments around bill Gates Wants to Dim the Sun point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.