Subscribe now

Environment

Arctic geoengineering project shut down over danger to wildlife

The non-profit Arctic Ice Project was experimenting with using silica beads to slow ice melt in the Arctic, but tests showed the plan posed risks to the food chain

By Madeleine Cuff

4 February 2025

Icebergs in Greenland

Michael Baynes Photography/Getty Images

A research project experimenting with using glass beads to reflect sunlight away from the Arctic has been cancelled after test results suggested it was a threat to the food chain.

The Arctic Ice Project had been testing the use of silica beads to increase the reflectivity of young sea ice, helping to preserve it through the Arctic summer.

The non-profit scheme, founded in 2007 and based in California, had previously deployed the glass beads at test sites in the…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop