Reacción a "Although reducing aerosol emissions improves air quality and public health, a study shows that it contributes to an acceleration of global warming"

It is well known that while the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations is responsible for the global warming we are currently witnessing with apparent passivity, atmospheric aerosols (microscopic particles, whether solid or liquid, suspended in the air) generally tend to partially offset this warming, either by reflecting or scattering incoming solar radiation or through their contribution to increased cloud formation. Aerosol sources can be natural (Saharan dust, volcanic ash, or salt-rich marine droplets) or anthropogenic. Among the latter, aerosols from industrial processes, power plants, and urban pollution associated with the use of fossil fuels are predominant.

Although it is known that the recent acceleration of global warming is closely linked to the reduction in anthropogenic aerosol emissions, the originality of this study lies in the fact that it quantifies, using two climate models, the role of the three main sources of these aerosols: air pollution control in China, stricter regulations on shipping emissions, and the control of aerosol emissions in other countries. This work estimates that 52% of the observed acceleration in warming is due to the reduction in emissions from these three anthropogenic aerosol sources.

The reduction of anthropogenic aerosol emissions is essential in terms of public health, as it substantially reduces cardio-respiratory conditions, with the associated high mortality caused by air pollution. This study once again emphasises that, in order to control global warming associated with increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere and climate change, while also reducing the serious public health impacts of air pollution, policies must prioritise — and make compatible — decarbonisation measures and air pollution controls.