Can diamonds really be the answer to the global climate crisis? While the idea might sound bizarre, a new study published by scientists from the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich. The researchers were testing out various aerosols to cool Earth, when they found that more than anybody, diamonds can prove to be more effective.
This team, which included climatologists, meteorologists, and Earth scientists, created a model that showed positive results.As per their analysis, shooting five million tonnes of diamond dust into the stratosphere each year, over the course of 45 years, could cool our planet by an impressive 1.6°C.
Global temperatures are increasing at an alarming rate, and it might not be enough to just reduce our carbon emissions. And we don’t seem alarmed enough by the changing trends and patterns of the seasons and climate. As per Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13, the target to reach zero carbon emissions has been set for 2050. But at the current pace, this number might take more than 30 years.
Experts have recognised that we need to do more than reducing carbon emissions and have suggested a solution known as Solar geoengineering—a technique that involves injecting reflective particles or aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight back into space. Sulfur dioxide has long been considered the primary option for this method, as volcanic eruptions naturally release it, leading to a cooling effect on Earth by reflecting sunlight. However, artificially injecting sulfur dioxide comes with major drawbacks—it could cause acid rain, harm the ozone layer, and interfere with weather patterns.
This new study was aimed at finding a better alternative than sulfur dioxide for this process. They shortlisted calcite, diamond, aluminum, silicon carbide, anatase, and rutile, and created a 3D model. This model focused on certain factors such as light reflection capabilities, how long the particles can stay in the atmosphere, and if they clump together if exposed long enough in the atmosphere.
They found out that diamond particles were highly effective in reflecting sunlight and heat, while simultaneously staying in the atmosphere for long enough. Further since diamonds are chemically inert they won’t react with other elements in the atmosphere.
The study claims that diamonds will be able to reduce the Earth’s temperature by a significant 1.6°C within 50 years. While the study looks promising on paper, the biggest obstacle in making it practical is the price of diamonds, one of the most expensive elements in the world. The cost of producing and distributing the required quantity of synthetic diamonds would be staggering, with estimates reaching as high as $200 trillion—which is double the global economy in 2023.