Blocking Sunlight Could Address Climate Change Issue: White House Report Indicates

Climate change has been a recurring theme in both media and scientific literature in recent years. It involves the narrative that human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel burning accelerate global warming.

The "climate emergency" is one of the most pressing issues of our time that we cannot ignore, according to scientists and environmentalists.

The phenomenon is considered urgent, as a growing body of knowledge suggests that if the current emission rate continues, the climate crisis can have catastrophic effects on both terrestrial landscapes and marine ecosystems.

Climate models also show certain animal species are also at risk, as a changing climate can intensify or increase the frequency of extreme weather events.

The changing climate and warming of our planet centers around trapped solar heat, through sunlight, in our atmosphere.

This heating effect is part of the natural process called the greenhouse effect.

Since the Industrial Revolution of 1750, anthropogenic greenhouse gases have accelerated the said process, trapping more solar heat.

Now, a recent White House report shows that the Biden Administration is planning to study how to "block sunlight" to flight climate change.

There are no concrete plans yet as to when or who the proposed climate change mitigation effort will be implemented.

Despite the unprecedented revelation, various concerns have been raised towards the plan since blocking the sunlight could also have biological and environmental repercussions.

White House Report

The Biden administration is reportedly considering studying how to block sunlight to protect Earth from climate change. This is according to a research document on the White House website, according to a report by Fox News on Saturday, July 1.

The report on Friday, June 30, comes from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which indicates the U.S. researchers have been "geoengineering" methods to prevent solar rays from accelerating global warming, according to the U.S. media outlet.

This is not the first time that such bold plan to alter sunlight and fight climate change was revealed.

In October 2022, it was reported also that the White House Office of Science and Technology Police has been spearheading a "five-year research plan" to study possible ways of controlling the amount of sunlight that reaches our planet, according to CNBC.

Also Read: Adapting to Climate Change Could Still Mean Environmental Troubles

Blocking Sunlight

Details about the White House report also went viral on social media in recent days, with some internet users denouncing the said plan, particularly relating to blocking sunlight.

Sunlight provides the necessary energy for living organisms to function and survive; such as to plants making food through photosynthesis. Sunlight is also known for providing the body with vitamin D.

The benefits of sunlight, especially with the right amounts, can also cause the brain to release the serotonin hormone, making a person feel calm and relaxed, according to Healthline.

Amid the climate change threat, the majority of climate scientists and experts assert that mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel burning are the key methods to control climate change and global warming.