Air Pollution Has Masked Climate Change's Influence on U.S. Rainfall
A study suggests that high levels of aerosol pollution have offset higher precipitation levels caused by a warming climate.
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A study suggests that high levels of aerosol pollution have offset higher precipitation levels caused by a warming climate.
Aerosol pollutants have masked the effects of global warming. Without them, the U.S. is about to get a lot wetter.
<p>In a new study, researchers broke down how human-induced greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions influence rainfall in the United States. Greenhouse gas emissions increase rainfall, while aerosols have a long-term drying effect as well as short-term impacts that vary with the seasons. As aerosols decrease, their long-term drying effect will likely diminish, causing rainfall averages and extremes to rapidly increase.</p>
The study specifically examines the impact of greenhouse gas and aerosol emissions on both average and extreme rainfall. It confirms that increased greenhouse gas emissions, which disperse globally, lead to increased rainfall. The influence of aerosols is more complex. - Newsx
Aerosol pollutants have masked the effects of global warming. Without them, the U.S. is about to get a lot wetter.