The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) has demanded information from a geoengineering company launching sulfur dioxide into the air.
Sulfur dioxide poses a risk to respiratory health.
The company, called Make Sunsets, has launched balloons with the compound in an effort to generate “cooling” credits.
“It is unclear where the balloons are launched and where the SO2 is from,” the EPA said. “Furthermore, it is not known if the company has been in contact with any state, local or federal air agencies.”
“The idea that individuals, supported by venture capitalists, are putting criteria air pollutants into the air to sell ‘cooling’ credits shows how climate extremism has overtaken common sense,” EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement. “Based on Make Sunsets’ responses to our information request, we will look into all our authorities to ensure that we continue maintaining clean air for all Americans.”
According to Make Sunsets, the balloons act as a “sunscreen for the Earth” to combat so-called climate change.
Addressing its participation in geoengineering, the company argued that any human release of carbon dioxide is geoengineering, stating that “the earth is a bit warmer for every flight you take. We think it’s wrong to suddenly draw a line at the stratosphere: we screwed up the atmosphere, and now we have a moral obligation to fix things!”
Some states, such as Florida, have taken steps to combat geoengineering.
SB 56 states that the “injection, release, or dispersion, by any means, of a chemical, a chemical compound, a substance, or an apparatus into the atmosphere within the borders of this state for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight is prohibited.”
Those who participate in geoengineering, including “any public or private corporation,” have committed a felony of the third degree, the bill adds.