There is a plan B to reverse global warming by shooting diamonds. But it costs more than 200 billion dollars

Despite all global efforts, greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase. What will we do if everything fails? Can we go back if temperatures rise beyond the 1.5ºC that the Paris Agreement established as a limit? In Switzerland, a team of scientists believes that plan B is solar geoengineering. And diamond dust, our ace up our sleeve to cool the planet.

A glamorous proposal. Researchers at ETH Zürich propose injecting millions of tons of diamond dust into the stratosphere as a temporary solution to global warming.

According to the calculations published in Geophysical Research Lettersfiring five million tons of diamond dust each year would reflect enough sunlight to reduce global temperature by 1.6ºC over 45 years, mitigating the most severe effects of climate change.

Of volcanic inspiration. This method mimics the cooling effect of the most violent volcanic eruptions in history. When a volcano releases sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, aerosols are formed that reflect sunlight. If done in large quantities, the eruption temporarily reduces temperatures across the planet.

But unlike sulfur dioxide, diamond dust is chemically inert and does not damage the ozone layer or cause acid rain. In addition, its optical properties are ideal for reflecting sunlight.

The economic challenge. Then there is the issue of price. The estimated cost of maintaining this initiative until the end of the century, scientists calculate, It is more than 200 billion dollars (ten times the GDP of the United States or China), which represents a significant obstacle to its implementation.

And yes, the study refers at all times to synthetic diamonds. Although it is also exploring more abundant and easier to produce materials, such as calcite and alumina, which could offer similar benefits for a smaller budget.

A desperate measure. Like the hammer behind glass that says “break in case of emergency,” the authors see their own idea as a lifeline if net-zero commitments, renewable energy facilities and carbon capture technologies don’t advance. enough to stop global warming.

Although models show promising results, injecting millions of tons of diamond dust into the atmosphere could have long-term environmental impacts that scientists and their simulations have overlooked. Still, the authors argue for more research to evaluate the practical feasibility and ecological implications of geoengineering against climate change.

Image | woodleywonderworks (FlickrCC BY 2.0)

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