Between 1940 and the 1970s there was a distinct reduction in global average temperatures. It is suggested by some that airborne aerosols were to blame in reducing the suns energy reaching the earth's surface cancelling out and reducing the effects of anthropogenic global warming. Today China is emitting huge amounts of aerosols without the use of scrubbers. In the past few years average global temperatures have not gone up any appreciable amount and have somewhat stabilized (not reduced). Do we not run the risk of duplicating the same situation of global dimming as we saw between 1940 and the 1970s, thereby lulling us into a false sense of security over global warming? What damage will be done to the scientific community if Chinese aerosols manage to reduce global temperatures?
To your knowledge, have there been any studies carried out looking at the effects of Chinese aerosols on global warming?
2007-12-20 04:18:35 · 5 answers · asked by jesserschmit 2 in Environment ➔ Global Warming
China is going to destroy the planet, one way or another. You should start taking chinese lessons with bob (the quantum mechanic).
2007-12-23 14:10:27 · answer #1 · answered by Knick Knox 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Atmoshperic chemistry is complex and poorly studies. There are alot of chemicals out there and they all interact in ways scientist do not fully understand. We still do not know how would increase cloud cover due to global warming would effect earths temperature. It might block off the sun's light and help reduce global warming, or it might reflect back the earths heat and increase the effect of global warming. It's ironic that our pollutants often cancel each other out (But not completely). The ozone hole in the northpole is alot smaller, because of the polutants that we pump out helps protect the ozone in the northern hemesphere. It's not something I like to see duplicated for the south pole, but I find it intersting none the less.
As for the false sense of security, we always had that. We aren't as smart as we thin we are. We tend to leap before we think, but I think alot of people are too reactionary.
2007-12-20 05:18:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a very interesting question and the short answer that could find is...the jury is still out.
I found this though which should clear things up. Sort of.
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/5/715/2005/acp-5-715-2005.pdf
What if Chinese aerosols caused global cooling? Oh, I'd hate to think of the implications of that. I believe however the air quality in China is getting so bad that they do something about it before much longer and it will not get to that point.
2007-12-20 12:37:13 · answer #3 · answered by Author Unknown 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
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2007-12-21 11:52:44 · answer #4 · answered by peter s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're a factor, but not as important as the greenhouse gases they put out. This data shows the relative importance of each:
http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:Climate_Change_Attribution.png
China is starting to realize that they're poisoning their own people. Their production of aerosols is very likely to slow down.
2007-12-20 09:14:32 · answer #5 · answered by Bob 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋