Scientists in the United Kingdom believe that smaller bubbles created by a ship's wake could help the Earth by producing more rain and lowering surface temperatures.
Scientists are constantly on the look out for new ways to tackle climate change. One of the latest is a study focusing on the bubbles ships produce.
A group of scientists from the University of Leeds, in the United Kingdom, believes that smaller bubbles created by traveling ships may help counteract climate change.
They contend if the wake behind a boat was comprised of diminutive bubbles instead of large ones, more sun could be reflected back into the atmosphere.
This is because the white froth created would be brighter than usual, and would remain on the water's surface for longer.
Its theorized these micro-bubbles could remain for up to 24 hours, which is much longer than ordinary foam, which only lasts for a few minutes.
This form of solar radiation management could also promote rainfall in certain areas.
Currently, there's an estimated 32,000 large vessels traversing the world's oceans. Through computer-generated models, the study scientists say it could result in a surface temperature drop of almost 33 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's proposed that ships be outfitted with aerosol technology, allowing them to produce bubbles 10 to 100 times smaller than normal.
While scientists believe this idea is plausible because the technology to put it in motion already exists, they don't see it happening for years to come.
They're also unsure of its effects, if any, on the ocean's ecosystems.