Startup Secures $60 Million to Pioneer Solar Radiation Management
A geoengineering startup, Stardust Solutions, has successfully raised $60 million to develop technology aimed at reducing global temperatures through solar radiation management. This funding round, reported by Politico, marks the largest ever for a company in the geoengineering sector. The investment comes from prominent figures in Silicon Valley and notable international investors.
The approach being explored by Stardust Solutions involves the dispersal of aerosol particles into the atmosphere. This method aims to mimic the cooling effects observed after major volcanic eruptions, which have historically lowered global temperatures for extended periods. Yanai Yedvab, the CEO of Stardust Solutions and a former physicist for the Israeli government, emphasized that while this technology could help mitigate climate change, it will not eliminate the occurrence of extreme weather events. “We’re not preventing them altogether,” he stated in an interview with Heatmap News.
Innovative Approach to Global Cooling
This investment is particularly significant as Stardust Solutions operates as a private entity, contrasting with many similar initiatives historically led by educational institutions or nonprofit organizations. The company is currently working on a proprietary particle that aims to be produced at scale and at a relatively low cost, while also being safe for the environment. Yedvab noted that the particles would need to be “as safe as, say, flour” in order to gain public acceptance and regulatory approval.
Stardust Solutions plans to conduct controlled outdoor experiments starting in April 2024, releasing the particles from a modified aircraft at an altitude of 11 miles. This experiment aims to gather data on the efficacy and safety of the proposed geoengineering method.
Despite the ambitious goals, the concept of geoengineering remains contentious. Critics have raised numerous concerns regarding the ethical implications and potential risks associated with such interventions. Notably, last year, city officials in Alameda, California, halted an unannounced experiment by scientists from the University of Washington that involved injecting cloud-brightening particles into the atmosphere. Similarly, Harvard researchers suspended their own atmospheric geoengineering project amid public backlash.
Expert Opinions and Concerns
The skepticism surrounding geoengineering is echoed by experts in the field. David Keith, a professor and climate scientist at the University of Chicago, expressed doubts about the feasibility of creating an inert particle that could outperform sulfates, which have been the focus of previous geoengineering research. Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Business School, criticized the funding strategy, suggesting that the venture capitalists backing Stardust Solutions may be overly optimistic about the potential for government investment in the technology.
Yedvab has addressed these concerns by asserting that any deployment of the technology would occur under strict governance, led by governmental bodies. He argues that clear and transparent guidelines are essential when dealing with such significant interventions in the Earth’s climate system.
As the climate crisis intensifies, the exploration of geoengineering solutions like those proposed by Stardust Solutions may become increasingly relevant. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on overcoming scientific, ethical, and regulatory challenges, as well as gaining public trust.
