Clean air – a step forward for health, a challenge for the climate

Scientists say pollution cuts have removed 'sunshade' from Earth

The world has made remarkable progress in cleaning up the air in recent years. But new research published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment offers a surprising warning: Reducing air pollution, while beneficial to public health, may be inadvertently accelerating global warming.

Factories are one of the sources of air pollution (Source: Getty)

Over the past decade, a reduction in air pollution in East Asia—especially China—has contributed to the loss of the “cooling effect” caused by dust, according to an international team of researchers. Dust particles in the air once acted as a shield, reflecting some of the sun’s rays and limiting the absorption of heat at the Earth’s surface. As countries aggressively eliminated emissions like SO₂ (by as much as 75% in China), this “shield” has gradually disappeared.

This is not a call to keep pollution going. On the contrary, the scientists say that improving air quality is “indisputably” good for health. But without drastic action to reduce greenhouse gases like CO₂ and methane, humanity will face more serious consequences.

“We have taken down the sun blinds, now we have to combat that sun by reducing the heat sources – that is, greenhouse gases, ” said Professor Robert Allen.

Before China enacted its air quality policy in 2010, pollution was the leading cause of premature death in the country (Source: Getty)

Some “outlandish” ideas, such as spraying artificial particles into the stratosphere to recreate the cooling effect, are being discussed. But according to Professor Laura Wilcox, this is just a measure to cover up the truth, not to solve the root cause. The technology is not ready, and the risks involved are huge.

In contrast, sustainable solutions such as planting trees, capturing carbon, and switching energy from fossil fuels to renewable sources are seen as the right path – albeit slower, but more certain.

Lessons from East Asia show that environmental policy must go hand in hand with climate action. We cannot solve the problem in one way – we must take a multi-pronged approach, from improving air quality to reducing emissions and raising public awareness.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/lam-sach-khong-khi-buoc-tien-vi-suc-khoe-thach-thuc-vi-khi-hau-5054333.html