Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering
Encyclopedia
Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) is a UK government-funded project that aims to assess the feasibility of injecting particles into the stratosphere
from a tethered balloon for the purposes of solar radiation management
.
The project investigates the feasibility of one so-called geoengineering
technique: the idea of simulating natural processes that release small particles
into the stratosphere, which then reflect a few percent of incoming solar
radiation, with the effect of cooling the Earth with relative speed. This could
produce the same type of global cooling effect as a large volcanic eruption –
such as Mount Pinatubo
in the Philippines in June 1991 (but without any
disruption from hot lava, ash or smoke, which would not be present). In the
two years following that eruption the Earth cooled on average by about half a
degree Celsius.
The SPICE project will take the first steps in research to understand
whether or not these natural processes can be mimicked and, if so, with what
effect. It is the first UK project aimed at providing
evidence-based knowledge about geoengineering technologies. The project itself is not carrying out geoengineering, just investigating the feasibility of
doing so. SPICE will start to shed light
on some of the uncertainties surrounding this controversial subject, and
encourage debate that will help inform any future
research and decision-making. Geoengineering is seen as being potentially useful in combating climate
change but could also lead to unforeseen or unintended risks – for example on
local weather systems, or discouraging people to take action to reduce carbon
emissions.
The project is funded by a £1.6m grant by the EPSRC
to run from October 2010 to March 2014.
,
Oxford
and Cambridge
and the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory are
considering what would be an ‘ideal’ particle to inject into the stratosphere.
The researchers will aim to identify a particle with excellent solar radiation
scattering properties, and consider what potential impacts might be on
climate, weather, ecosystems and human health.
will assess the effect of wind on tethered ballon at a height of 1 km while at the same time pumping water at a rate of around 100 kg/hour. They will be using the data obtained
from these tests in computer models aimed at examining how a full-scale tethered balloon might behave in the high winds experienced at altitudes up 20 km.
Oxford, Edinburgh
and Bristol are working with the Met Office
's Hadley Centre
to consider what can be learned from past volcanic eruptions. They are also
modelling the potential impact on ozone layer concentrations, regional
precipitation changes and atmospheric chemistry.
public in a parallel project by Cardiff University
, with specific exploration of
attitudes to the SPICE test. This research found that very few people were
unconditionally positive about the idea of geoengineering or the proposed
test. However, most were willing to entertain the notion that the test as a
research opportunity should be pursued.
The project was presented to the public at the British Science Festival in Bradford, 13 September 2011 to coincide with plans to conduct the 1 km delivery system testbed in Norfolk the following month. However, this was later postponed for six months following advice from a stage–gate advisory panel to "allow more time for engagement with stakeholders".
Following the original announcement, a campaign opposing geoengineering led by the ETC Group
drafted an open letter calling for the project to be suspended until international agreement is reached, specifically pointing to the upcoming convention of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
in 2012.
Stratosphere
The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, just above the troposphere, and below the mesosphere. It is stratified in temperature, with warmer layers higher up and cooler layers farther down. This is in contrast to the troposphere near the Earth's surface, which is cooler...
from a tethered balloon for the purposes of solar radiation management
Solar radiation management
Solar radiation management projects are a type of geoengineering which seek to reflect sunlight and thus reduce global warming. Examples include the creation of stratospheric sulfur aerosols. They do not reduce greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and thus do not address problems...
.
The project investigates the feasibility of one so-called geoengineering
Geoengineering
The concept of Geoengineering refers to the deliberate large-scale engineering and manipulation of the planetary environment to combat or counteract anthropogenic changes in atmospheric chemistry The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded in 2007 that geoengineering options, such...
technique: the idea of simulating natural processes that release small particles
into the stratosphere, which then reflect a few percent of incoming solar
radiation, with the effect of cooling the Earth with relative speed. This could
produce the same type of global cooling effect as a large volcanic eruption –
such as Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
in the Philippines in June 1991 (but without any
disruption from hot lava, ash or smoke, which would not be present). In the
two years following that eruption the Earth cooled on average by about half a
degree Celsius.
The SPICE project will take the first steps in research to understand
whether or not these natural processes can be mimicked and, if so, with what
effect. It is the first UK project aimed at providing
evidence-based knowledge about geoengineering technologies. The project itself is not carrying out geoengineering, just investigating the feasibility of
doing so. SPICE will start to shed light
on some of the uncertainties surrounding this controversial subject, and
encourage debate that will help inform any future
research and decision-making. Geoengineering is seen as being potentially useful in combating climate
change but could also lead to unforeseen or unintended risks – for example on
local weather systems, or discouraging people to take action to reduce carbon
emissions.
The project is funded by a £1.6m grant by the EPSRC
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council is a British Research Council that provides government funding for grants to undertake research and postgraduate degrees in engineering and the physical sciences , mainly to universities in the United Kingdom...
to run from October 2010 to March 2014.
Evaluating candidate particles
Researchers from the Universities of BristolUniversity of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
,
Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory are
considering what would be an ‘ideal’ particle to inject into the stratosphere.
The researchers will aim to identify a particle with excellent solar radiation
scattering properties, and consider what potential impacts might be on
climate, weather, ecosystems and human health.
Delivery systems
Engineers from the University of Cambridge and Marshall AerospaceMarshall Aerospace
The Marshall companies have been internationally associated with aerospace engineering for nearly a century. The company employs over 1,800 people and is based on an site with of covered hangar space...
will assess the effect of wind on tethered ballon at a height of 1 km while at the same time pumping water at a rate of around 100 kg/hour. They will be using the data obtained
from these tests in computer models aimed at examining how a full-scale tethered balloon might behave in the high winds experienced at altitudes up 20 km.
Climate and environmental modelling
Researchers from the Universities ofOxford, Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
and Bristol are working with the Met Office
Met Office
The Met Office , is the United Kingdom's national weather service, and a trading fund of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills...
's Hadley Centre
to consider what can be learned from past volcanic eruptions. They are also
modelling the potential impact on ozone layer concentrations, regional
precipitation changes and atmospheric chemistry.
Public engagement
A consultation exercise was undertaken with members of thepublic in a parallel project by Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, with specific exploration of
attitudes to the SPICE test. This research found that very few people were
unconditionally positive about the idea of geoengineering or the proposed
test. However, most were willing to entertain the notion that the test as a
research opportunity should be pursued.
The project was presented to the public at the British Science Festival in Bradford, 13 September 2011 to coincide with plans to conduct the 1 km delivery system testbed in Norfolk the following month. However, this was later postponed for six months following advice from a stage–gate advisory panel to "allow more time for engagement with stakeholders".
Following the original announcement, a campaign opposing geoengineering led by the ETC Group
ETC Group
ETC Group is an international organization dedicated to "the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights." The full legal name is Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration...
drafted an open letter calling for the project to be suspended until international agreement is reached, specifically pointing to the upcoming convention of parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Convention on Biological Diversity
The Convention on Biological Diversity , known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is an international legally binding treaty...
in 2012.