Читать книгу How Can I Stop Climate Change: What is it and how to help - Литагент HarperCollins USD, F. M. L. Thompson - Страница 62

Whereas greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere, aerosols and solid particles reflect heat and light from the sun and prevent sunlight reaching the ground. This has a cooling effect – sometimes referred to as global dimming – and is caused by pollution from industrial processes, transport, wood-burning stoves, forest fires and volcanoes. Conversely, particles such as dust and soot can also increase warming by absorbing sunlight.

No one knows the precise impact of such pollution, but it may be masking the full impact of the greenhouse gases. It may also play a role in cloud formation, causing further complex influences on the climate. Areas downwind of pollution sources may suffer regional impacts. A recent study observed that a brown cloud of pollution over the Indian Ocean was warming the sea and could be contributing to melting of glaciers in the Himalayas.