About climate change: Aerosols
Very small particles, known as aerosols, also affect our climate. They are formed by emissions from sources such as power stations and transport. They scatter sunlight, which would otherwise reach the surface of the earth, back out to space and therefore have a cooling influence on the climate. Their influence can also be important in heavily polluted regions. But unlike greenhouse gases, the lifetimes of aerosols are short and they do not accumulate in the atmosphere. Measures are being taken in Western Europe and North America to reduce sulphur emissions, mainly to tackle acid rain, and this will cut the level of aerosols.
Page last modified: 12 March 2007
Page published: 01 December, 2005