An unusual idea is on the agenda in the fight against global warming: cooling the Earth by spraying diamond dust. It may sound like a science fiction movie scenario right now, but researchers at ETH Zürich in Switzerland claim that we could lower global temperatures by 1.6°C by spraying diamond dust into the stratosphere. But on one condition…
Is it possible to cool the Earth with diamond dust? The price tag is 200 trillion dollars!
A newly published study suggests that diamond dust is the best reflector of sunlight and the least harmful to the environment. But there is also the cost side. Sustaining this ambitious plan until 2100 could cost the world 200 trillion dollars. So what distinguishes diamond dust from other substances?
After examining seven different substances, including sulfur dioxide, aluminum and calcite, the researchers found that diamond dust had the best results. This dust reflects sunlight better than other materials and stays suspended in the atmosphere longer, meaning it has a longer cooling effect.
Moreover, since this powder is a chemically inert substance, it does not cause acid rain. In other words, it is safer for the environment than substances like sulfur. However, all good things come at a price. The cost of this shiny powder is truly astonishing.
A ton of diamond dust costs $500,000, about 2,400 times more expensive than alternatives like sulfur. In total, this cost is expected to reach 200 trillion dollars, which is more than the gross national product of many countries.
In addition to this high cost, some experts are concerned about uncertainties over environmental impacts. For example, substances such as sulfur are thought to absorb certain types of light, which could negatively affect climate cycles, especially weather events such as El Niño.
While many scientists believe the project offers a temporary solution to global warming, its long-term effects are unknown. In short, although the idea of cooling the Earth with diamonds is exciting in the scientific world, the $200 trillion cost and environmental risks make it very difficult to realize this method.
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