Food control

 

OK, now I´m worried. The above YouTube clip is born again "conspiracy theorist" John Campbell on recent proposals by the UK government to carry out "solar dimming" experiments. Think food control, elite cabals, that kind of stuff. And look what ChatGPT (which I assume is immune from evil evilly conspiracist thinking) says about it all...

Wtf. 

Is it true that "solar dimming" can negatively affect agriculture and photosynthesis in plants?

Yes, it's true that solar dimming—also known as global dimming—can negatively affect agriculture and photosynthesis in plants.

Here's why:

🌥️ What is Solar Dimming?

Solar dimming refers to a reduction in the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface due to particles and pollutants (like sulfate aerosols) in the atmosphere that reflect or absorb solar radiation. It can also occur as a result of volcanic eruptions, industrial emissions, or intentional geoengineering efforts (e.g., solar radiation management).

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🌱 Effects on Photosynthesis and Agriculture:

1. Reduced Photosynthesis:

   • Plants rely on sunlight for photosynthesis, the process by which they produce energy.

   • Less light means less energy available, leading to slower growth, reduced yields, and sometimes lower nutritional value in crops.

2. Crop Yield Reduction:

   • Studies have shown that during periods of significant dimming (e.g., after volcanic eruptions), crop productivity drops.

   • For example, after the Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991, global sunlight levels dropped slightly, and there were measurable agricultural impacts in some regions.

3. Disruption of Seasonal Growth Cycles:

   • Some crops are highly sensitive to light levels, and prolonged dimming can disrupt flowering or fruiting times, affecting harvest cycles.

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🌎 Additional Considerations:

• In some cases, diffuse light (scattered light under hazy conditions) can penetrate deeper into plant canopies, slightly improving photosynthesis in lower leaves—but this effect rarely outweighs the overall negative impact of less total sunlight.

• If dimming is caused by air pollution, the same pollutants can directly harm plant tissues or affect rainfall patterns, further damaging crops.

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Would you like a real-world example or data from a specific region or time period?

Do you have any sources about the negative effects of solar radiation management on agriculture or photosynthesis?

​Yes, there is credible scientific evidence indicating that solar radiation management (SRM)—a form of geoengineering aimed at cooling the planet by reflecting sunlight—can have negative effects on agriculture and plant photosynthesis.​meetingorganizer.copernicus.org+2Carbon Brief+2sciencenews.org+2

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🌍 What Is Solar Radiation Management?

SRM involves techniques like stratospheric aerosol injection, where reflective particles (such as sulfur dioxide) are released into the upper atmosphere to reduce incoming solar radiation. While this approach may lower global temperatures, it also reduces the amount of sunlight reaching Earth's surface, which is vital for plant growth and photosynthesis.​Carbon Brief+1sciencenews.org+1

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🌾 Negative Impacts on Agriculture and Photosynthesis

1. Reduced Photosynthesis and Crop Yields

Blocking sunlight diminishes the energy available for photosynthesis, leading to lower crop productivity. A study published in Nature found that the reduction in sunlight from SRM could negate the benefits of cooler temperatures, resulting in decreased yields of crops like maize, soy, rice, and wheat. ​sciencenews.org+1meetingorganizer.copernicus.org+1

2. Empirical Evidence from Volcanic Eruptions

Historical events, such as the eruptions of El Chichón in 1982 and Mount Pinatubo in 1991, injected large amounts of aerosols into the stratosphere, leading to global dimming. Subsequent analyses showed that these events caused significant reductions in crop yields due to decreased sunlight. ​sciencenews.org

3. Regional Crop Yield Declines

Model simulations indicate that SRM could lead to substantial regional yield reductions. For instance, groundnut yields in India might decrease by up to 20% under solar dimming geoengineering scenarios. ​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov+3theenergymix.com+3meetingorganizer.copernicus.org+3pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

4. Physiological Stress in Plants

Exposure to weak light conditions, akin to those under SRM, can impair chloroplast function, increase reactive oxygen species, and disrupt the photosynthetic electron transport chain in plants like maize. This physiological stress hampers plant growth and productivity. ​PubMed

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⚖️ Balancing Benefits and Risks

While SRM may offer benefits like reduced heat stress on crops, the accompanying decrease in sunlight poses significant risks to agricultural productivity. The trade-offs between cooling the planet and ensuring food security need careful consideration.​

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