By Corbin Hiar, Jan 19th 2023
Luke Iseman (left) attending a tech conference in 2013. Iseman conducted experiments on climate geoengineering in Mexico. Steve Jennings/Getty Images for TechCrunch
A controversial climate tech startup announced Wednesday that it would pause its efforts to commercialize solar geoengineering, an experimental and risky method of reversing climate change.
“Make Sunsets will cease operations in Mexico (if there were any) and review our approach,” the two-man company said in blog post.
Last year in the Mexican state of Baja California, the startup released weather balloons filled with helium and sulfur dioxide, in an attempt to deposit the sunlight-reflecting sulfate particles into the upper atmosphere. Make Sunsets said it intended to launch at least three more balloons this month.