$60 million bet aims to dim the sun to cool Earth

A startup backed by $60 million is pursuing technology to dim the sun to slow climate change. The company, Stardust Solutions, says reflecting sunlight could cool the planet fast. Stardust Solutions announced the funding in October, calling it the largest investment yet in solar geoengineering. The approach copies volcanic eruptions that temporarily lower global temperatures. The company was founded in 2023 by Israeli scientists Yanai Yedvab and Amyad Spector, joined by physicist Eli Waxman. Yedvab said warming has already exceeded Paris Agreement targets. The plan is to release tiny particles into the stratosphere, between 4 and 31 miles above Earth. The particles would reflect sunlight back into space, reducing surface temperatures. Yedvab told The Independent the particle is non sulfate and designed to avoid acid rain and ozone damage. He said, “Our customers would only be governments.” Critics warn the idea ignores the root cause of emissions and risks unintended harm. Supporters argue the worsening climate crisis is pushing once fringe ideas into daylight.