section européenne Lycée VINCI à AMBOISE

Scientists have come up with a revolutionary new idea to save planet Earth from global warming.

Geo-engineers from Harvard University believe that spraying "sun-dimming" chemicals into the stratosphere high above the Earth could slow down global warming.

They also say their technique would be "remarkably inexpensive," costing in the region of $2.25 billion a year over a 15-year period.

The technique is known as stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI).

It is still in its infancy and is yet to be proven. It would involve the use of gigantic hoses or high-powered chemical cannons to spray chemicals into the stratosphere to act as a reflective barrier against sunlight and harmful UV rays.

The scientists have admitted that their idea is currently still in the planning stages.

They said: "We make no judgment about the desirability of SAI. We simply show that a hypothetical deployment program commencing 15 years hence, while both highly uncertain and ambitious, would indeed be technically possible from an engineering perspective.

" Not all scientists think the idea is a good one. Some think it is somewhat pie in the sky.

They say it would require a fleet of 100 specially-designed planes to make 4,000 missions a year, crossing most of the globe's airspace.

This would require permission from over 100 governments. There are also concerns it could increase droughts and extreme weather.

TRUE / FALSE: Read the article and say  if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

1. Scientists say they can revolutionize how the Earth is warmed globally.    T / F
2. The scientists are geo-engineers from Harvard University.     T / F
3. Scientists want to slow down the earth to dim the Sun's UV rays.     T / F
4. Scientists say giant hoses will spray chemicals into the stratosphere.     T / F
5. The sun-dimming plan is in the final stages of planning.     T / F
6. The scientists say it's possible to use their technique in 15 years' time.    T / F
7. Some scientists believe the sun-dimming idea is pie in the sky.     T / F
8. Other scientists said sun-dimming could help to end all droughts.     T / F