Pumping sulphur particles into the atmosphere to mimic the
cooling effect of a large volcanic eruption has been proposed as
a last-ditch solution to combating climate change - but doing so
would cause problems of its own, including potentially
catastrophic drought, say researchers. Sulphur "sunshades" are
just one example of a "geo-engineering" solution to climate
change. Such solutions involve artificially modifying our
climate to counteract the effects of human greenhouse gas
emission. Other examples include space mirrors and iron
fertilisation of the ocean (see also Sunshade for the planet.
Recent research has suggested that sulphur sunshades could
rapidly cool the climate back down to pre-industrial
temperatures (see Solar shield could be quick fix for global
warming). However, a study, led by Ken Caldeira of the Carnegie
Institution of Washington in the US, warned that failing to
correctly deploy or maintain such a scheme would result in
sudden warming - which would be worse than the long-term warming
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