Scientists may have found an extraordinary way to cool the planet, though it comes with a staggering price tag. Researchers from ETH Zurich’s Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science have been exploring the injection of various aerosols into the atmosphere to identify those with a cooling effect.
While past studies focused on sulfur dioxide (SO2), which could come with grave risks like acid rain, disruption of weather patterns and ozone damage, ETH Zurich’s latest study in Geophysical Research Letters now points to an unexpected contender: Diamond dust.
“Atmospheric Ice”
According to the institute’s research, glittering particles of diamond dust could potentially lower global temperatures by 1.6°C. but would come at an estimated cost of about $200 trillion over the remainder of the century.
“The resulting side-effects on circulation and climate especially from diamond injections could be substantially reduced compared to SO2, making diamond particles most suitable for SAI from an optical properties perspective among the materials investigated here,” the researchers explained.
Best Effects, High Cost
Using a 3D climate model, researchers examined seven materials – diamond, aluminium, silicon carbide, anatase, rutile, sulfur dioxide, and calcite – to observe how each affected heat, light, and atmospheric longevity. Diamond dust emerged as the most promising candidate, reflecting the most light and heat while resisting clumping. However, this “cooling solution” might be the world’s most expensive idea yet.
The institute added: “We suggest further research on agglomeration processes in turbulent aircraft wakes as well as on measurements of optical properties of a variety of potential solid particle materials.”
Interested enthusiasts may want to keep a “weather eye” on the sky – for diamonds.
