Scientists Propose Solar Geoengineering to Counter El Niño Impacts
Scientists Propose Solar Geoengineering to Counter El Niño Impacts
US · Published Jul 14, 2026
Researchers from UC San Diego, led by climate scientist Kate Ricke, have proposed a controversial method to mitigate the effects of El Niño through solar geoengineering.
The study, published in Science Advances, suggests injecting aerosols into the Earth's stratosphere to brighten marine clouds, a process called 'marine cloud brightening.' This would reflect sunlight back into space, cooling the Earth's surface.

Impact & Risks

If implemented, solar geoengineering could reduce the severity of El Niño-related weather extremes, potentially saving trillions of dollars in global economic damages. However, the method is not without risks. Critics argue that it could distract from essential climate solutions like reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the long-term deployment of such technology could lead to unforeseen environmental consequences. Experts like Andrew Dessler from Texas A&M University caution that the models used to predict outcomes are imperfect, raising concerns about creating new problems while solving existing ones.

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