Most warming this century may be due to air pollution cuts
New ScientistMonday, July 14, 2025 at 10:00:13 AM
Here's a twist—cleaner air might actually be heating things up. New satellite data shows that a big chunk of recent global warming could be tied to reduced air pollution, specifically sulfate particles that used to brighten clouds and reflect sunlight. The silver lining? This warming effect is temporary, a side effect of cleaning up our skies.
Editor’s Note: It’s a classic case of unintended consequences. We’ve spent decades cutting harmful pollution (a good thing!), but those same pollutants were subtly masking some warming by making clouds more reflective. Now that they’re fading, the planet’s temperature dial is turning up faster—though hopefully not for long. This isn’t an argument against clean air; it’s a reminder that climate science is full of tricky feedback loops, and we’ll need to adapt our strategies as we learn more.
— Curated via WP Now’s
