Pollutants ward off global warming, study finds

Cutting air pollution could trigger a greater surge in global warming than previously thought, suggesting future rises in sea level and other environmental consequences have been underestimated, climate scientists report today.

The warning comes after researchers investigated the effect of fine particles known as aerosols on climate change. Aerosols – particles smaller than one hundredth of a millimetre – are churned out from factory chimneys, from the burning of fossil fuels and forest fires, although sea salt and dust particles swept up by desert storms add to levels detected in the atmosphere.

guardian