Heatwaves are becoming more frequent around the world.
Heatwaves are becoming more frequent around the world. And while rising temperatures caused by greenhouse gas emissions are part of the problem, the declining levels of aerosols — the small particles that make up smog and air pollution — may be driving the rise even more, particularly in populated areas.
This finding comes from a study published in Environmental Research Letters and led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. While recent research has linked declining aerosols to rising regional temperatures, this study is the first to examine aerosols’ impact on people’s exposure to heatwaves.
“We knew that aerosol emissions were suppressing global warming at the regional level, but the impact of that same suppression on heatwaves near urban centers was much greater than we expected,” said study co-author Cameron Cummins. “So, as cities seek to curb their aerosol emissions to improve public health, they will also likely experience more heatwaves.”
Read more at: University of Texas at Austin
Aerosols in air pollution cause negative health impacts, but they also help cool cities by deflecting the sun’s rays. A new study found that as aerosols decline in populated areas, the risk of heatwave exposure grows. (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / DestinationFearFan)
