The issue of global warming has been the subject of intense public discourse for some time now, with many pointing to human activities as the main contributor. There are a variety of activities that can cause increased global warming, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, intensive animal farming, and more. Of these, perhaps the most impactful, and yet oddly overlooked, action is the increase in aerosol-using consumer products.
Aerosols are substances released into the atmosphere which can absorb or scatter short- and long-wave radiation. Examples of aerosol-using products are deodorants, hair sprays, fire extinguishers, and air fresheners, all of which contain chemical compounds called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs are believed to be the main driving force of global warming, as they are released into the atmosphere and quickly break down, releasing heat and trapping it in the upper atmosphere. This results in increased temperatures on the surface of the planet. Think of it like an invisible greenhouse – the more of these chemical compounds in the atmosphere, the hotter the earth will be.
It’s easy to see why aerosols often go unnoticed in conversations about global warming – their contribution is seemingly small when compared to larger-scale activities like burning of fossil fuels. But the impact of aerosols is often underestimated, and their contribution to global warming can in fact be significant, especially when factoring in how many different products in our day-to-day lives employ aerosols. The burning of fossil fuel is typically continuous, and so there is a ‘safe zone’ where levels of global warming remain relatively low. However, the global warming demands of aerosols are spasmodic and unpredictable, meaning that sudden, extreme increases in temperature can more easily occur.
Reforms to regulate production of aerosol-using products can help to minimize the damage that these products are causing to the environment. In 1986, the Montreal protocol was signed by 197 countries worldwide, and aimed at phasing out the production of CFCs. This was successful in slashing global emissions by nearly 95%, though the effects of this are now beginning to wear off.
This begs the question – what additional strategies could be implemented to further reduce global emissions from aerosols? This isn’t an easy problem to tackle. While the burning of fossil fuels is a visible and easily traceable activity, it is far harder to monitor the production, usage, and environmental impact of aerosol-using products. For example, many of these products are purchased and used in the home setting, which makes the task of regulation and monitoring virtually impossible.
This highlights the need for individuals to become better informed on the ways in which their daily actions can contribute to increased global warming. Education is crucial in this regard, as is the adoption of tangible, individual-level strategies, such as boycotting aerosol-using products and replacing them with more environmentally-friendly alternatives.
It is clear that a multifaceted approach is needed to reduce global warming due to aerosol-using products. Emissions must be curtailed through regulatory reforms, while individuals must become empowered to assess and modify their daily activities accordingly. Without both of these working together, we may continue to see spike in global warming, the full effect of which will be felt in future generations.
