Can Diamonds Save Our Planet From Global Warming?

Bhubaneswar: As global temperatures are soaring rapidly, scientists are suggesting that injecting diamonds into the atmosphere can cool our planet Earth.

According to scientists, diamond dust or synthetic diamond particles when injected into the atmosphere can reflect sunlight and reduce global warming, as reported by Business Insider.

This is called solar geoengineering which involves injecting reflective particles or aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight back to space.

Earlier, sulphur dioxide, known to have a cooling effect on the Earth by reflecting sunlight was a leading choice. However, later it was rejected as sulphur dioxide could cause acid rain, damage the ozone layer, and disrupt weather patterns.

The new study, aimed at finding a better reflective particle, found diamond dust to be more effective and a better alternative for sulphur dioxide.

Unlike sulphur dioxide, diamonds would not cause acid rain. The diamond particles were found to be highly effective at reflecting both sunlight and heat, and they also remained suspended in the atmosphere for a longer period.

The study suggested that injecting 5 million tons of synthetic diamond dust into the atmosphere every year could reduce global temperatures by 1.6°C over a period of 45 years.