Reduced emissions during pandemic led to increased global warming. Quite a paradox.

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Reduced emissions during pandemic led to increased global warming

Quite a paradox

Foto: Joakim Romson / Stockholm University

Researchers from Stockholm University, among others, can conclude in a new report that the reduced emissions of sulfur and nitrogen oxides during the pandemic paradoxically led to an increase in global warming.

The increase in warming is explained by the fact that sulfur and nitrogen oxides and other air pollutants lead to the formation of aerosols (particles) in the air that can mask the full extent of climate warming caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. Aerosols can act as a cooling agent by reflecting incoming solar radiation back into space.

The researchers call this phenomenon "masking" as aerosols hide the warming effect of the much longer-lived climate gases. Stockholm University states in a press release that a complete phase-out of fossil fuel combustion in favor of zero-emission renewable energy sources could result in a rapid "unmasking" of aerosols, while greenhouse gases persist.

"For a couple of decades, emission reductions may risk leading to a net climate warming due to the masking effect of air particles, before the temperature decrease from reduced greenhouse gas emissions takes over. But despite an initial warming effect, we must of course still strongly and immediately reduce emissions," says Örjan Gustafsson, professor of biogeochemistry at Stockholm University."

The image above shows the Hanimaadhoo measurement station in the Maldives where measurements for the report "Aerosol demasking enhances climate warming over South Asia" were conducted.

mynewsdesk.com

Cars,

Stockholm University, aerosols, greenhouse gases, climate warming, fossil fuels

Via nature.com

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