Real-world geoengineering experiments spanning the globe from the Arctic to the Great Barrier Reef are being funded by the UK government. Getting this “critical missing scientific data” is vital with the Earth nearing several catastrophic climate tipping points, said the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria), the government agency backing the plan. Geoengineering is controversial, with some scientists calling it a “dangerous distraction” from cutting emissions and concerned about unintended climate impacts. The Aria programme, along with another £10m project, makes the UK one of the biggest funders of geoengineering research in the world. The Aria programme will also assess space reflectors, which are sunshades placed into orbit, using modelling to determine their feasibility.
