Click on the buttons to see how carbon dioxide emissions and geoengineering could change the climate
Animation: Samantha Lee/Business Insider
Solar Geogineering
Global Warming
Greenhouse Gas Effect
Solar Geogineering
Global Warming
Greenhouse-Gas Effect
Solar Geogineering
Global Warming
Greenhouse-Gas Effect
Geoengineering doesn’t change the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is why experts say we can’t solve climate change without cutting fossil-fuel use.
Like in a warming scenario, less radiation is escaping into space, but less is being absorbed in the first place.
Earth's atmosphere releases infrared radiation.
More radiation gets reflected back into space, preventing the planet from absorbing as much warmth.
Since Earth absorbs less radiation, warming can be halted as long as we keep releasing sunlight-reflecting clouds.
How solar geoengineering could provide a temporary reprieve
Burning fossil fuels releases
more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping more heat.
Less radiation is able to escape the atmosphere, causing temperatures to climb.
Earth's atmosphere releases infrared radiation.
Some solar radiation gets reflected off the atmosphere back into space.
Earth absorbs solar radiation from the sun, which warms the planet.
How burning fossil fuels cranks up the thermostat
Some of the radiation released by Earth gets trapped by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which keeps the planet warm.
Some radiation escapes into space, which has a cooling effect.
Earth's atmosphere releases infrared radiation.
Some solar radiation gets reflected off the atmosphere back into space.
Earth absorbs solar radiation from the sun, which warms the planet.
How the greenhouse-gas effect keeps the planet warm
