Injecting diamond dust into atmosphere can potentially cool planet by 1.6ºC, according to a recent study published in Geophysical Research Letters. Led by Sandro Vationi, a climate scientist at ETH Zürich, the research investigated whether diamonds, as opposed to commonly used materials such as sulphur, could offer a safer and more efficient method of injecting aerosol into the stratosphere. This method aims to reflect sunlight back into space to mitigate global warming.
Diamonds vs Sulfur for cooling
Although sulfur has been researched as a cooling agent — largely inspired by volcanic eruptions that inject sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere — the material poses significant risks, including ozone depletion and acid rain. Diamonds, on the other hand, are chemically inert and would not contribute to these hazards. Vationi and his team ran complex climate models to assess the impact of different materials. Diamonds stood out for their reflective properties and ability to stay in the air without sticking together.
The steep cost of diamonds
Although diamonds could offer a promising solution, their cost is a major drawback. With synthetic diamond dust valued at around $500,000 per tonne, ramping up injection production to 5 million tonnes per year would require a huge financial commitment. According to Douglas McMartin, an engineer at Cornell University, diamond dust disposal costs from 2035 to 2100 could reach $175 trillion. This cost far exceeds the relatively cheap sulfur, which is readily available and much easier to spread. McMartin suggests that sulfur may still be the material of choice because of its lower cost and ease of use.
The geoengineering debate continues
Geoengineering studies, incl study of alternative materials such as diamonds remains a controversial topic. Critics like Daniel Cziczo, an atmospheric scientist at Purdue University, argue that the risks of unintended consequences outweigh the potential benefits. However, Shuchi Talati, executive director of the Alliance for Fair Debate at Sunny Geoengineering emphasizes that research is essential to understand all possible options, especially for nations most vulnerable to climate change
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