Abstract

Engineering has changed the world. But global temperatures are rising due to human action and emissions reduction is not sufficient to protect vulnerable people and places from the worst effects of climate change. What if engineering could help cool the planet?

What if clouds could be more reflective? This is an idea of solar radiation management. One of the ideas our engineers are researching is marine cloud brightening (MCB), which aims to enhance the albedo and light-scattering properties of marine clouds using seawater. By atomising seawater into highly monodisperse submicron diameter droplets, nanocrystalline salt particles are carried into clouds inducing a ‘brightening’ effect. This could create a local cooling effect and be implemented as a potential intervention for protecting vulnerable systems ranging from the Arctic to the Great Barrier Reef.

Join us on 13th February at 1pm to hear from engineers seeking answers to this big question.

Engineering for the Climate, a seminar series from University of Cambridge and Centre for Climate Repair. LR4 , Department of Engineering. 30 Jan, 13 Feb, 27 Feb, 13 Mar 2025. Free to attend and open to all. https://www.climaterepair.cam.ac.uk/events/spring-seminars-engineering-climate