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What If We Could Refreeze the Arctic?

What If | December 26, 2025



The Arctic might soon become completely ice-free. And when all of the ice is gone, the world won’t be the same. And while politics seems to keep failing to reach a consensus on how to act, the only way to save the ice may be to intervene directly. We look at radical geoengineering proposals that aim to do just that. We could bring the ice back to the Arctic with the help of huge wind-powered water pumps, we could help the young Arctic ice reflect more sunlight by covering it with small, shiny silica microspheres or try cutting off the Sun’s rays by creating more clouds. But would the cost be worth it?

Transcript and sources: https://insh.world/video/what-if-we-could-refreeze-the-arctic/
Music: http://bit.ly/whatif-music

Watch more what-if scenarios:
Planet Earth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-HhCwYD7rc&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJCzxwmCq0NNpYq9N9wyb2l
The Cosmos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfuJyVkMH_g&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJno6oFF9nLGuwXNGYHmE8U
Technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS3bBO05fpU&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTIeRY3JtgXgoGqSEB7kDdKO
Your Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmXR46TrbA8&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTJNsV9FFeNAKl2ySsHj8GZO
Humanity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdCDQIyXGnw&list=PLZdXRHYAVxTIFnvmOeWbv-Mt8zFxSCSvZ

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“Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it, we go nowhere.” — Carl Sagan

What If is a mini-documentary web series that takes you on an epic journey through hypothetical worlds and possibilities. Join us on an imaginary adventure — grounded in scientific theory — through time, space and chance, as we ask what if some of the most fundamental aspects of our existence were different. Produced with love in Toronto by https://underknown.com
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Comments

This post currently has 34 comments.

  9. @davidjohnverdillo6155

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    It should always happen if we always start acting it now and to fight climate change if we sometimes win but sometimes lose the fight also known as battle against climate change to stop the world's ice from melting for quality protection from as to most.

  12. @bobbackward6461

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    More direct question: Does the locational (non-magnetic) North Pole still have solid ice? Like, is it still physically possible to stand on the North Pole if you could travel there?

  14. @co-jt6gd

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    God willing…I’m just glad we chose a decade to start taking serious action worldwide. Not that many of us weren’t doing that already, but COVID was a real wake up call to the problems in society…a call to action.

  15. @davidcolman7727

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    All these ideas are so laughably flawed. Of course, none of them is more laughable than the idea that people can change their habits in time to make any difference at all. They will not. That should be clear, but for some reason it isn't — another form of Climate Change Denial.

  17. @Thomas-VA

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    And even if the infrastructure may not be there yet comparable to fossil fueling, hybrid electric vehicles should help transition without the need to abandon immediately, but sooner than later needs to be undertaken or humans may need an undertaker.

  18. @Thomas-VA

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    the price is the planet . . mainly our stable life in it, the planet has no cares about us as the earth has gone through many rough stages, we just weren't there to burn or not breathe during. But politicians keep kicking that can do the road to their and our future families. They need their immediate greed. Anyway, wonder what the permafrost holds for us with methane.

  23. @superstormthunder3

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    Instead of all these crazy stuff, wouldn’t it be easiest just to lower greenhouse gas emissions to slow and stop global warming? No need for blocking the sun or refreezing the arctic.

  27. @mcxo-dd66

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    What if the ice melted and re-emerged every year?
    That would be called a pattern or a cycle.

    What if the ice retreated some distance every year?
    That would also be called a pattern or a cycle.

    Either the scientists involved in these geo-engineering projects believe they can "out-balance" the balance of these cycles, in order to be saviors … or they have no idea that every thing around them runs on cycles.
    I.e. that the ice will eventually start to "grow" out again.

    What happens when the next substantial volcano eruption occurs?
    Sending significantly more sulphur dioxide into the atmosphere, which is not an unlikely event.

    Science and geo-engineers are insane.

  33. @kalpchhaya2478

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    Let the glaciers growing itself.

    The human interference could be very costly for environment. Our human activities melt the glaciers. Now it's time to reduce the usage of fossil fuels and planting the trees to prevent our beautiful earth. Stop using the electronic items which consuming the more electricity.

    We call it our mother. Would you harm your mother?

    Let them grow naturally. Because…
    If not now, will never ever.

  34. @KasirRham

    December 26, 2025 at 3:36 am

    We can "demand" and they will ignore. Electric cars appear to be gaining more support, but very late in the game, and stopping oil… yeah right. The big money bois won't allow it. Humans will begin to do a few good things too little too late.

Comments are closed.

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