Startup Secures $60 Million to Pioneer Solar Radiation Management

A geoengineering startup, Stardust Solutions, has successfully raised $60 million to develop technology aimed at dimming the Sun. This funding is reported to be the largest ever for any company in the sector, according to Politico. The investment comes from various high-profile backers, including notable figures from Silicon Valley and an Italian industrial family.

The approach to geoengineering involves a controversial method known as solar radiation management. By dispersing aerosol particles into the atmosphere from aircraft or weather balloons, the aim is to lower global temperatures and address climate change. Yanai Yedvab, CEO of Stardust Solutions and a former senior physicist with the Israeli government, acknowledged that while this method could help mitigate some effects of global warming, it will not eliminate extreme weather events. “We’re not preventing them altogether,” he noted in an interview.

Stardust Solutions distinguishes itself as a private entity, unlike many similar initiatives typically led by educational institutions or nonprofits. The company plans to conduct “controlled outdoor experiments” as early as April 2024, involving the release of particles from a modified aircraft at an altitude of approximately eleven miles.

Yedvab and his team are creating a proprietary particle designed to be produced safely and at scale, aiming for a model that is “as safe as, say, flour.” This innovative approach seeks to avoid the drawbacks associated with sulfate aerosols, which could contribute to atmospheric contamination and damage the ozone layer.

Despite the ambitious goals, skepticism surrounds the project. Critics raise significant concerns regarding governance and the ethical implications of geoengineering. Questions arise about who determines the locations and conditions under which these particles are released. Recently, city officials in Alameda, California, ordered researchers at the University of Washington to halt an unapproved experiment involving similar technology. Additionally, researchers at Harvard University ceased their atmospheric geoengineering project last year due to public backlash.

Notable academic figures have also voiced doubts about the feasibility of Stardust Solutions’ plans. David Keith, a climate scientist at the University of Chicago, expressed his belief that creating an inert particle superior to sulfates is implausible, given the extensive research in the field. Gernot Wagner, a climate economist at Columbia Business School, criticized the funding strategy, suggesting that the expectation for a lucrative return on investment is unrealistic.

In response to these concerns, Yedvab emphasized his commitment to responsible governance in the deployment of their technology. He stated, “We will only participate in deployment, which will be done under adequate governance led by governments. When you’re dealing with such an issue, you should have very clear guiding principles.”

As the effects of climate change become increasingly urgent, the discourse surrounding geoengineering continues to evolve, balancing the potential for innovation with the responsibility of ensuring safety and ethical governance.