How Hard Would It Be to Terraform Venus?

Everyone talks about terraforming Mars, but Venus might be the real prize. Discover the surprising ways we could cool, reshape, and colonize this hostile world.

Visit our Website: http://www.isaacarthur.net
Join Nebula: https://go.nebula.tv/isaacarthur
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IsaacArthur
Support us on Subscribestar: https://www.subscribestar.com/isaac-arthur
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1583992725237264/
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/IsaacArthur/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Isaac_A_Arthur on Twitter and RT our future content.
SFIA Discord Server: https://discord.gg/53GAShE
Credits:
How Hard Would It Be to Terraform Venus?
June 17, 2025; Episode 725.1
Written, Produced & Narrated by: Isaac Arthur
Graphics:
Ken York
Mafic Studios
Sergio Botero
Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images
Music Courtesy of Epidemic Sound http://epidemicsound.com/creator

Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:51 Why Venus?
6:23 Cooling Venus: Methods and Challenges
6:31 Solar Shades at the L1 Lagrange Point
11:09 Nuking or Beaming the Atmosphere
12:12 Carbon Dioxide Liquefaction and Freezing
12:58 Worldhouses and Floors
14:34 Why Cooling Venus Might Be Easier Than Warming Mars