Media Statement

SilverLining Strongly Condemns Make Sunsets’ Activities

Monday, February 13, 2023 - Make Sunsets, a US-based company, is reportedly planning to release weather balloons filled with sulfur dioxide gas from the western US after similar activities in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur led to a ban by the Mexican government. SilverLining, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring a safe near-term climate, has issued the following statement condemning this ill-advised activity. The statement can be attributed to Kelly Wanser, Executive Director.

“SilverLining strongly condemns Make Sunsets’ rogue releases of material into the atmosphere and its efforts to market unsubstantiated ‘cooling credits’. No one should be permitted to profit from releases into the environment with potential risks and no evidence of benefits. Climate interventions such as increasing the reflection of sunlight by releasing particles in the atmosphere have the potential to serve as emergency medicine to prevent the worst effects of climate change. As with medicine, robust science and rigorous review mechanisms are required to determine whether and how interventions could be safe and effective. Make Sunsets activities are too small and ineffectual to be harmful today, but they also have no benefits for climate or climate science. If these activities were to scale, the risks could be substantial, and any benefits unclear. We urge authorities to intervene to stop the effort and prevent any similar project from taking flight. The legitimate consideration of climate intervention is at risk if efforts that center on hype and bypass science are allowed to proliferate. Society requires major research, rigorous scientific assessment, and science-based mechanisms for governance to address the potential for climate interventions to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. There can be no room for selling snake oil.” 

Executive Director Kelly Wanser can be available for additional comments. For media inquiries, please contact Jesus Chavez at jesus@singularity.green.

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About SilverLining:

SilverLining is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that society has sufficient information and options to protect the world’s most vulnerable people and ecosystems from the impacts of near-term climate change. Like a medical foundation, SilverLining works to advance research and innovation, promote effective policies, and raise public awareness to reduce harm and save lives. SilverLining engages with the research community, policymakers, technologists, civil society, and people from all walks of life in its efforts to ensure a safe climate.  For more information, visit www.silverlining.ngo.