Extreme pollution slows global warming in major cities

The question of whether global warming is accelerating is a matter of intense dispute among climate scientists. While some have argued that the current rate of temperature rise – which reached an all-time high last year – is closely linked to increasing fossil fuel emissions and therefore in line with current climate models, others have warned that the Earth is far more sensitive to fossil fuels. Than previously thought, humanity is hurtling towards tipping points from which there is no return.

in Recent studyA group of researchers from the University of Melbourne has complicated this debate by analyzing rates of warming around the world and the possible causes of regional differences. Their main discovery: the globe He is It gets hotter at a faster rate, but this acceleration occurs unevenly. Surprisingly, densely populated areas with high concentrations of poverty – megacities such as Cairo and Mumbai – are warming more slowly than urban centers in Europe and North America. Why? The researchers found that the large amount of aerosol particles in highly polluted city air reflects sunlight back into space and, at least in the short term, could have a net cooling effect on residents.

“It’s surprising,” said Edith de Guzman, an adaptation policy specialist at the University of California at Loskin Center for Innovation in Los Angeles, who praised the researchers for their work. The paper’s authors stressed that this finding should not be taken as a good sign. First, it’s likely only temporary. Secondly, protection, such as it is, only comes from harmful pollutants. De Guzman agreed, saying that accelerating global warming means that “populations already starkly vulnerable to a variety of environmental and climate injustices will be even more vulnerable.”

As countries develop economically, their governments tend to adopt policies to remove pollution, and as the air is purified, vulnerable populations become at greater risk of exposure to extreme heat. Christopher Schwalm, director of the risk program at the Woodwell Center for Climate Research, gave the example of China, where the government I started preparing Coal-fired power plants are equipped with emission-reducing technologies, such as scrubbers, to prevent soot from escaping the facility. He said such measures were good for air quality, but would allow more of the sun’s heat to escape. The most affected will be those who do not have access to air conditioning and shaded areas.

“The poorer you are, the hotter it gets,” Schwalm said. “Heat is a metaphor for all forms of climate disruption.” “It is really difficult to do good without doing evil.”

Schwalm explained that the scientific community has about thirty highly sophisticated climate models that are collectively viewed as a “panel of experts” on the path of global warming. He believes studying accelerating warming is useful because it can help countries plan climate adaptation measures and understand how realistic their current climate policy goals are — or aren’t.

world last year It has exceeded emissions targets in the 2015 Paris AgreementAnd she’s on track to do the same this year. Scientists are increasingly talking about the death of the Paris Agreement’s commitment to keep the world under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming, in attempts to force policymakers to grapple with the inevitability of worsening heatwaves and extreme weather. Upcoming events.

The authors of the Melbourne research provide much-needed insight into what this future will look like and how countries should prepare: their findings should encourage “targeted climate adaptation strategies” directed at the poorest urban communities around the world.

This article originally appeared on grinding in https://grist.org/climate-energy/some-cities-are-so-polluted-theyre-warming-slower/. Grist is an independent, non-profit media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Learn more at grist.org.