Global Dimming

• Since the Industrial Revolution, humans are adding tremendous amounts of particles into the atmosphere (e.g. traces left from jet planes, industrial dust, aerosols).

• These particles, which are not necessarily GHG in nature have a cooling effect by blanketing the lower atmosphere.

• The temperature that we are actually experiencing may therefore be cooled down due to the effect of this artificial temporary protective layer.

• Scientists are concerned that a suddent shift in the amount of dimming may result in a rapid increase in surface temperatures.

• Some argue that the dimming of the atmosphere is actually a good thing and therefore that we should not take actions to reduce the emissions of pollutants in the air. This is a  missconception that would have severe consequences as it would make the climate unstable and even more subject to extremely rapid changes.

Source of Information : Climate Change: A Silent Threat by Sylvain Richer de Forges

Global Dimming