Photo: phys.org
"Cleaner Air Boosts Warming by Reducing Clouds' Sunlight Reflection"
Cleaner air resulting from reduced air pollution is inadvertently causing Earth to absorb more heat by diminishing cloud brightness, accelerating climate change beyond predictions.
- A new study in Nature Communications reveals that reduced air pollution has led to less reflective marine Clouds, allowing more sunlight to warm the Earth.
- The research indicates that changes in the Atmosphere due to decreased aerosols are contributing to faster global warming, with temperatures exceeding climate model predictions in 2023 and 2024.
- Marine Clouds over the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean are now less bright, which means they reflect less sunlight, exacerbating the effects of climate change.
Why It Matters
This development underscores the complex relationship between air pollution and climate change, revealing unintended consequences of efforts to improve air quality. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective climate action and policy formulation.