Wouldn't it be possible to install (temporarily) a controllable semi-transparent screen between the sun and the earth to reduce the amount of energy (by a very small fraction) received on earth and consequently reduce the global warming?
let's make a simple calculation: the surface of Earth = pi*R2=1.275e14 m2.
Let's assume that we need to cover just 1% of it: = 1.275e12m2.
One cubic meter of 0.1mm mylar film weights ~1400kg and it can cover 1e4 m2.
Dividing the first value by the second one and multiplying the result by 1.4 tons, one can estimate that we will need to send to space about 2e8 = 200 000 000 tons (!) of materials, not speaking of equipment which should spread the film.
I'm afraid we're not there yet :)
Possibly a thin layer of optical filter that can filter out Infra-red and ultraviolet radiation that is the main source of heat on earth.
More technically feasible is the stratospheric aerosol injection. Less risky and technologically possible.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratospheric_aerosol_injection
Alain Robichaud
Dear Alain,
The risks of the control experiment mentioned in your comment are outlined by Tang and Kemp (2021):
"A Fate Worse Than Warming? Stratospheric Aerosol Injection and Global Catastrophic Risk"
They seems to suspect that the cure of this form could be worse that the disease.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fclim.2021.720312/full
The answer to the original question is yes. The project proposed by the MIT scientists contemplates placing the radiation screens at the L1 Lagrangian point – the point between the Earth and the Sun where their gravitational pulls cancel out. The general design of the project is presented at:
https://senseable.mit.edu/space-bubbles/
The advantage of this approach is its apparent reversibility (?).
PS. some additional information about important technical aspects are provided in the following paper:
Article Feasibility of cooling the Earth with a cloud of small spcec...
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