Despite global efforts, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. What will we do if all else fails? Can we reverse the damage if temperatures exceed the 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit limit set by the Paris Agreement? In Switzerland, scientists believe solar geoengineering could serve as a backup plan. In the end, diamond dust may be our secret weapon to cool the planet.
A glamorous proposal. Researchers at ETH Zurich suggest injecting millions of tons of diamond dust into the stratosphere as a temporary solution to global warming.
According to calculations published in Geophysical Research Letters, releasing five million tons of diamond dust each year could reflect enough sunlight to lower global temperatures by 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit over 45 years, potentially mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change.
A volcanic-inspired measure. The proposed method is inspired by the cooling effects observed during some of history’s most violent volcanic eruptions. When a volcano emits sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, it creates aerosols that reflect sunlight. If released in significant quantities, the eruption can temporarily lower global temperatures.
In contrast to sulfur dioxide, diamond dust is chemically inert, meaning it doesn’t damage the ozone layer or contribute to acid rain. Additionally, its optical properties are well-suited for reflecting sunlight.
The economic challenge. However, this initiative faces a substantial economic hurdle. Scientists estimate that maintaining this approach until the end of the century could cost more than $200 billion, which is ten times the GDP of the U.S. This presents a significant obstacle to its implementation.
While the study focuses mainly on synthetic diamonds, it also explores more abundant and easier-to-produce materials, such as calcite and alumina, which could provide similar benefits at a lower cost.
A desperate measure. Like the hammer behind the glass that says “break in case of emergency,” the paper’s authors consider their idea a lifeline if commitments to achieve net-zero emissions, renewable energy installations, and carbon capture technologies don’t advance sufficiently to combat global warming.
While the models indicate promising results, injecting millions of tons of diamond dust into the atmosphere may have long-term environmental consequences that scientists and their simulations haven’t yet fully considered. In fact, the authors advocate for further research to assess the practical feasibility and ecological implications of geoengineering in the fight against climate change.
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