Although reducing aerosol emissions improves air quality and public health, a study shows that it contributes to an acceleration of global warming
Between 2013 and 2023, global emissions of anthropogenic air pollutants decreased significantly thanks to various regulations, improving air quality and public health. However, aerosols that form part of these emissions reduce incoming solar energy. According to a study published in PNAS, this means that 52% of the acceleration in global warming can be attributed to the reduction of atmospheric aerosols over that decade, compared with the period between 1970 and 2012. The study focused on the reduction of emissions from three major sources: China, land regions outside China, and international shipping. According to the authors, air pollution mitigation policies should focus on reducing CO₂ and methane emissions, rather than solely targeting overall reductions in atmospheric pollution.
