'Artificial volcano' to cool down the Earth

From TodayOnline.com: 'Artificial volcano' to cool down the Earth
NORFOLK (England) - A bizarre "artificial volcano" experiment taking place at a disused Norfolk airfield next month could help save the planet from global warming.

Light-scattering particles would be pumped high into the atmosphere to reflect the sun's rays and cool the Earth. The effect would be similar to that of a volcanic eruption spewing out clouds of sulphate droplets which can have an impact on the climate.

Sulphate emissions from the Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines in June 1991 reduced world temperature by 0.5°C for two years.

Dr Matt Watson, from the University of Bristol, who is leading the Spice (Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering) project, said: "We're going to try to pump tap water to a height of one kilometre through a pipe as a test of the technology."

The test will take place on a disused airfield at Sculthorpe, north Norfolk, using a dirigible "blimp" balloon of the type commonly used to carry adverts or take photos.

Water will be forced up the pipe using an ordinary pressure pump available from hardware stores. After spouting from the top the water will evaporate or fall to the ground as light "rain".

Measurements and recordings made by the scientists will help shape the next stages of the research.

Constructing artificial volcanoes to alter climate is seen as a "last resort" if it proves impossible to bring carbon emissions under control.

Pouring 10 million tonnes of material into the stratosphere each using 10 to 20 giant balloons could achieve a 2°C global drop in temperature, the scientists believe.

Details of the three-year, £1.6-million (S$3.1-million) Spice project were presented on Thursday at the British Science Festival at the University of Bradford.