Researchers Want to Spray Diamond Dust In the Sky to Cool the Planet

Global warming has become a cause of concern for authorities worldwide. The phenomenon is a result of human action and the present situation is such that controlling or reversing it has become difficult. Researchers aware of the disastrous future, global warming could bring, have been searching for methods to slow it down, Science Alert reported.

One of the unique strategies, they have come out with is, spraying diamond dust in the skies. A research team after analyzing several particles has concluded that diamonds could be humanity's best shot at dealing with global warming. This plan has been proposed in a journal named Geophysical Research Letters. 

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection is a climate engineering approach that involves sending aerosol particles into the atmosphere to reflect the sunlight, Geoengineering Global reported. The reflection will cool the planet and facilitate the reversal of global warming, as per the researchers. Scientists want to use particles containing sulfate in the experiment because they believe that it would provide them with the best results. 

Diamond as an Alternative

A research team led by climate scientist, Sandro Vattioni, from ETH Zurich in Switzerland, analyzed the best material to use for the Stratospheric Aerosol Injection experiment, Science Alert reported. The study adjudged potential particles on qualities like heat absorption, reactivity, and reflectivity. Based on the results the team argued against the use of sulfur particles, showcasing doubts over its reflective features. They concluded that diamond nanoparticles could be the best alternative as they came with the least drawbacks.

The experts point out how diamonds amongst all the potential particles were the slowest to clump in the atmosphere. Particles that clump too quickly would not scatter enough light and sufficiently cool down the planet, the study stated. The team further added that the diamonds wouldn't undergo a reaction that would cause phenomena like acid rain. In the team's opinion, spraying five million tons of diamond dust in the stratosphere could bring down the planet's temperature by 1.6ºC.

Challenges Involved in the Method

The biggest challenge associated with the method is the cost involved in the process, Science Alert reported. For every megaton of diamonds sent into the atmosphere, the price would come to around US$600,000. This would push the total bill to hundreds of trillions.

Sulfur on the other hand can be purchased at US$250 per megaton. Other issues like laboratory measurements and adaptation of computer model specificities to real-life conditions, make diamond spraying a difficult option to apply.

Despite these shortcomings, the research team believes that it is advantageous to look for other materials apart from sulfate, for use in SAI. They believe it will provide humanity with the opportunity to send their best shot in the atmosphere to combat environmental catastrophes.