As global temperatures continue to rise, innovative solutions to combat climate change are urgently needed. A recent study explores the potential of diamond particles in solar geoengineering as a novel approach to cooling the Earth.

Current Climate Challenges

• Inadequate Measures: Efforts to stop global warming have not worked. Global temperatures keep rising, and greenhouse gas emissions, the main cause of this warming, have not been reduced.
• Rising Temperatures: Even if all emissions stopped now, it would take years for temperatures to settle down. Currently, global temperatures are about 1.2 degrees Celsius higher than pre-industrial levels, with 2023 seeing an increase of around 1.45 degrees Celsius.
• Paris Agreement Goals: Keeping the temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, as set in the 2015 Paris Agreement, is becoming unlikely.
  • To meet this target, emissions must drop by at least 43% from 2019 levels by 2030. Unfortunately, current actions are expected to reduce emissions by only 2% by that time.

Due to these challenges, scientists are looking into radical solutions like geoengineering to achieve quick results.

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Geoengineering

Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions aimed at altering the Earth’s climate system to mitigate the effects of global warming. These strategies seek to directly influence climate patterns and reduce the impacts of rising temperatures.

Types of Geoengineering

Solar Radiation Management (SRM): SRM involves deploying materials into the atmosphere to reflect solar radiation away from Earth, thereby cooling the planet. 

• Techniques include injecting particles, such as sulphur dioxide or diamond dust(most effective), into the upper atmosphere to mimic the cooling effect of volcanic eruptions.
• Other proposals include installing space-based mirrors to deflect sunlight before it reaches the Earth. 
• The goal is to reduce the amount of solar energy absorbed, offering a potential short-term solution to climate change.

Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR)

CDR technologies aim to capture and remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere to mitigate climate change. While they provide potential short-term solutions for reducing emissions, their long-term viability is still under scrutiny.

Key Methods

• Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS): This method captures CO2 emitted from industries or power plants at the source and deposits it deep underground in suitable geological formations for long-term storage. 
  • This prevents CO2 from being released into the atmosphere, thus reducing overall emissions.
  • This is the  only method being tried out in practice.
• Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU): In CCU, captured CO2 is used as an input for other industrial processes, while some is stored underground.
• Direct Air Capture (DAC): DAC methods use large “artificial trees” to suck CO2 from ambient air and direct it towards storage sites or utilisation. 

While these methods can eliminate accumulated CO2, they face significant challenges.

Challenges and Concerns

• Changing Rain Pattern Risks: Geoengineering methods, including the spraying of diamond dust, could significantly alter rainfall distribution and intensity, potentially leading to droughts in some regions and flooding in others.
• Ethical Concerns: There are serious ethical implications regarding humanity’s right to manipulate the Earth’s climate. Decisions made by a few could affect the entire planet, raising questions of consent and responsibility.
• Negative Consequences: Large-scale geoengineering could have unforeseen consequences on ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, potentially harming species and disrupting existing natural processes. 
• Technical and Cost Challenges: Implementing Solar Radiation Management (SRM) poses significant technological and financial hurdles. Large-scale manipulation of natural processes could lead to unforeseen consequences affecting global weather patterns.
• Geological Limitations:The availability of safe underground storage sites for CO2 is limited, constraining the scalability of CCS technologies.

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Way Forward

• Preference for Natural Solutions: Prioritising natural climate solutions, such as reforestation and soil conservation, can provide sustainable and ecologically friendly methods for combating climate change.
• Global Cooperation: All nations must commit to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and invest in renewable energy sources to effectively address climate change.
• Pilot Projects: Conducting pilot projects to assess the effectiveness and safety of geoengineering solutions, such as diamond dust spraying, can provide valuable insights and help mitigate risks before large-scale application.

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