DIAMOND
DUST: ENVIRONMENT
NEWS:
A Bold Proposal to Combat Global Warming Through Geoengineering
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
The article explores the
potential of using diamond dust in solar radiation management (SRM) as a
geoengineering solution to mitigate global warming, while discussing the
challenges and risks associated with such interventions.
Diamond Dust to Cool Earth:
·
A new
study proposes using diamond dust to reflect solar radiation and reduce global
warming, as part of Solar Radiation Management (SRM).
Global Warming Concerns:
·
Earth's
temperature is 1.2°C above pre-industrial levels, with current efforts
insufficient to limit the rise to 1.5°C as per the Paris Agreement.
Geoengineering and SRM:
·
SRM, a
form of geoengineering, involves reducing sunlight reaching Earth.
Diamonds are found to be more effective than sulfur and calcium compounds in
cooling the planet.
Required Scale:
·
Cooling
Earth by 1.6°C could require spraying 5 million tonnes of diamond dust
yearly, though this is still theoretical.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):
·
Another
geoengineering technique, CCS, involves trapping and storing carbon
underground. CCS and Direct Air Capture face issues with scalability and
costs.
Challenges and Risks:
·
SRM could
disrupt weather patterns, agriculture, and biodiversity. Both SRM and CCS face technological,
economic, and environmental challenges.
Uncertain Future:
·
While geoengineering offers potential short-term
solutions, its risks and feasibility are still under debate.