Scientists revisit a forgotten Soviet plan to dam the Bering Strait and see if it could help protect Earth's climate

Ideas for reshaping the planet have appeared long before the term geoengineering entered public discussion. During the Cold War, some engineers believed that large-scale construction projects could permanently alter climate, rivers and even entire regions. Among the boldest was a proposal to block the Bering Strait, the narrow stretch of water between Siberia and Alaska, and use enormous pumps to redirect ocean currents. The aim was straightforward, reduce Arctic sea ice, make northern Siberia significantly warmer and transform frozen land into a more productive landscape. Decades later, the same stretch of water has returned to scientific debate, although for a very different reason. Rather than warming Siberia, researchers are examining whether changes at the Bering Strait could influence a vulnerable part of Earth's climate system.What was the Soviet plan to dam the Bering Strait and warm Siberia The proposal emerged in the early 1950s from Soviet engineer Petr Borisov, who believed geography itself could be redesigned to benefit society. His concept centred on building a massive barrier across the Bering Strait, which is roughly 80 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. Powerf...