The ongoing debate as to whether air pollution contributes to global warming has recently become increasingly irreconcilable. It is undeniable that carbon dioxide and other pollutants have a direct effect on the rise in global temperatures; however, it is unclear to what extent air pollution is responsible for the disruption in climate. It is thus essential to evaluate both sides of the issue in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the issue.
On one hand, air pollution acts as a major driver of global warming. In fact, a study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concluded that anthropogenic emissions, including those from transportation and thermal power generation, were two of the largest contributors to climate change. Furthermore, the emission of aerosols from transported fuel has an adverse effect on global warming due to the presence of black carbon. This type of carbon absorbs solar radiation more efficiently than other forms, resulting in an increase of surface air temperatures throughout the globe.
On the other hand, air pollution has the potential to simultaneously cool global temperatures. A variety of aerosols such as sulfates, nitrates, and ammonium have a cooling effect on the atmosphere due to their ability to scatter or reflect the sun’s radiation. This has the potential to decrease air temperatures, resulting in mitigating the effects of global warming. In addition, air pollution may also lead to a decrease in global cloud cover, which has an additional cooling effect on climate temperatures.
In order to assess the validity of either of these opposing arguments, it is paramount to seek out the judgement of experts. Scientific experts, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, point to the complexities inherent in determining whether air pollution has a positive or negative effect on global warming. While emissions of identified pollutants such as sulfur and nitrous oxide can augment global temperatures, the emission of other substances, such as cirrus clouds, can have the exact opposite effect. Therefore, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions on the relationship between air pollution and global warming.
Ultimately, it is essential to research and analyze both sides of the issue in order to come to an informed conclusion. Despite certain pollutants having the potential to contribute to the rise in global temperatures,it is ultimately unclear as to to what degree air pollution plays in the disruption of climate. Therefore, further scientific studies should be conducted in order to reach a more concrete assessment of whether air pollution contributes to global warming.
