US EditionChina’s success in cleaning up air pollution may have accelerated global warming: Study
CHINA, JUL 14 – China's 75% sulfur dioxide emissions cut since 2010 removed cooling aerosols, causing an estimated 0.05°C global temperature rise per decade, revealing a complex climate trade-off.
- A study published on 14 July in Communications Earth and Environment found that East Asia's air pollution cleanup has accelerated global warming.
- This acceleration occurred after a substantial 75% decline in sulfur dioxide pollutants in East Asia beginning in approximately 2013, driven largely by Chinese regulations aimed at curbing aerosol pollution.
- The cleanup caused clouds to darken and reflect less sunlight, reducing cooling from aerosols and revealing more greenhouse gas warming since 2001.
- Peter Cox noted that the majority of the global temperature rise since 2001 can be attributed to decreases in SO2 emissions instead of increases in CO2 levels, while Laura Wilcox highlighted that this recent rise in warming is expected to be temporary.
- The findings suggest that while global warming will continue for decades, faster recent warming partly reflects a temporary effect from reducing air pollution in East Asia.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Does pollution keep Earth cool? New study says global warming may be linked to pollution cuts
A new study suggests that recent rapid global warming may be linked to falling sulphur dioxide pollution, which has dimmed cloud reflectivity and reduced Earth's albedo. While the warming is likely temporary, the findings highlight a hidden trade-off between cleaner air and climate regulation.
In the meantime, many scientists realize that the importance of CO2 in terms of climate is too high. A new study points to the improvement of air quality in China, which has led to more warming, especially in eastern Asia. Observations are also consistent with other studies. Recently, we reported on a study by British scientists who, based on satellite data, pointed to the warming effects of cleaner air as a result of desulphurisation measures. …
The sulfurous smog that blanketed Chinese cities was cooling the planet, or at least slowing its warming.
China’s pleasant climate surprise
Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng displays its lineup of SUVs and sedans at an event in Hong Kong. PHOTO: REUTERS Start with China, the world’s biggest emitter by far of greenhouse gases: 27% of the entire world’s emissions, and more than twice that of the second-biggest emitter, the United States.
Cleaner air in East Asia may have driven recent acceleration in global warming, our new study indicates - BusinessWorld Online
Global warming has picked up pace since around 2010, leading to the recent string of record warm years. Why this is happening is still unclear, and among the biggest questions in climate science today. Our new study reveals that reductions in air pollution — particularly in China and east Asia — are a key reason for this faster warming. Cleanup of sulphur emissions from global shipping has been implicated in past research. But that cleanup only …
In recent years global warming has accelerated dramatically. The reduction of aerosols in East Asia plays a key role in this.
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