Engineering techniques to deflect sunlight from the face of the earth could cost less than 5 per cent of the bill for slashing carbon emissions, according to a paper to be published today by two climate change economists.
The paper concludes that using the lowest cost technologies, such as making clouds whiter and thus more reflective of sunlight, could achieve the same cooling effect as the emissions cuts being discussed by the United Nations for only about $9bn (€6bn, £5bn). This compares with $250bn a year the economists calculate would be the probable cost of cutting emissions.
“The benefits include both avoided climate damage and the savings made possible by more gradual, and hence less costly, greenhouse gas controls,” said Lee Lane, co-author and fellow of the American Enterprise Institute.