Decline in Aerosols Could Lead to More Heat Waves in Populated Areas

Decline in aerosols could lead to more heat waves in populated areas

Heat waves are becoming more frequent around the world. And while rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are part of the problem, the declining levels of aerosols—the small particles that make up smog and air pollution—may be driving the rise even more, particularly in populated areas.

Cities to suffer more heatwaves as the air gets cleaner

A new study suggests that the decline in air pollution, specifically aerosols, could significantly increase the frequency of heatwaves, particularly in urban areas. Led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin, the study is the first to focus on how aerosol levels influence people’s direct exposure to heatwaves. Aerosols (which include substances such as dust, soot, sea salt, pollen, sulfates and nitrates) reflect sunlight back into s…

Declining Aerosol Levels Linked to Increase in Urban Heatwaves, Study Warns

Recent research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals alarming findings about the impact of declining aerosol levels on heatwave occurrences in populated regions. As heatwaves become more frequent worldwide, this study—published in Environmental Research Letters—highlights how reducing aerosols, which contribute to air pollution, may be exacerbating the problem. Cameron Cummins, a co-author of the study, explains, “While we knew that ae…

Decline in aerosols could lead to more heat waves in populated areas - Tech and Science Post

Heat waves are becoming more frequent around the world. And while rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are part of the problem, the declining levels of aerosols—the small particles that make up smog and air pollution—may be driving the rise even more, particularly in populated areas. This finding comes from a study published in Environmental Research Letters and led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. While rec…