Climate scientists ponder spraying diamond dust in the sky to cool planet

Solid particles of diamond or alumina might be safer than sulphate droplets as a way to redirect the Sun’s energy, calculations suggest.

Climate scientists have thought up plenty of futuristic ways to cool the planet, but an analysis published on 26 October examines what may be their wildest idea yet: spraying tiny diamonds high into the atmosphere.

Researchers have for years discussed the merits of pumping water-based sulphate spray into the sky to reflect and scatter the Sun's energy — essentially, mimicking the cooling caused by volcanic eruptions. Like most kinds of geoengineering, the idea is highly controversial and so far untested.

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Climate scientists ponder spraying diamond dust in the sky to cool planet