Are you in the dark about Global Dimming?
Posted: January 17th, 2005, 10:56 am
Are you in the dark about Global Dimming?
We are all too aware of Global Warming and the effect that it is having on our planet but now it seems we have another global threat, Global Dimming. Global Dimming refers to the amount of sunlight hitting the surface of our planet. Since the early 90’s scientists have been uncovering startling data that points to the fact that our planet is in fact getting darker. So much so in fact, that parts of North America and Europe have been receiving as much as 60% less sunlight than 50 years ago. At first the results were scoffed at and the findings were largely ignored, even by other scientists. The reasons for the denial of Global Dimming revolved around the fact that Global Warming proved the planet was actually getting hotter. So how can both theories be true? The answers were found only recently. Different sets of scientists from around the world set to work on testing the theory. The results they found shocked everybody. Through pan evaporation tests carried out over the last 100 years they discovered that in the last 50 to 60 years evaporation rates have been dropping steadily even though the planets temperature has been rising steadily. These reductions in pan evaporation matched exactly the results found in the reduction of sunlight. The resultant effect was called Global Dimming and now the science world has begun to get worried.
So what is it and what does it all mean?
It could be a case of damned it we do and damned if we don’t. Global Dimming is caused by large particles of pollutant escaping into the air and orbiting the planet, particles from jet engines and car exhausts and smoke etc. These particles block out sunlight thus dimming the planets surface and scientists now believe Global Dimming played a major part in the terrible famine in Ethiopia in the 80’s.
Reducing these particle emissions can have a huge effect in a short space of time. Tests done just after 9/11 showed a dramatic increase in surface temperature over three days simply due to the fact that all air craft were grounded.
On the upside Global Dimming may actually be helping retard the pace at which Global Warming is progressing. Global Warming is caused by the greenhouse effect i.e. the smaller non visible pollutant particles. It seems if we eradicate Global Dimming we will only serve to exacerbate Global Warming. Damned if we do and damned it we don’t. At the current rate and if the trend continues in 30 to 40 years famine could be widespread, the surface temperature of the planet could have increased by as much as 5 degrees, the ice caps will have melted, the global weather systems will be in turmoil and by stage it will be far too late to do anything about it.
So are you in the dark about Global Dimming?
We are all too aware of Global Warming and the effect that it is having on our planet but now it seems we have another global threat, Global Dimming. Global Dimming refers to the amount of sunlight hitting the surface of our planet. Since the early 90’s scientists have been uncovering startling data that points to the fact that our planet is in fact getting darker. So much so in fact, that parts of North America and Europe have been receiving as much as 60% less sunlight than 50 years ago. At first the results were scoffed at and the findings were largely ignored, even by other scientists. The reasons for the denial of Global Dimming revolved around the fact that Global Warming proved the planet was actually getting hotter. So how can both theories be true? The answers were found only recently. Different sets of scientists from around the world set to work on testing the theory. The results they found shocked everybody. Through pan evaporation tests carried out over the last 100 years they discovered that in the last 50 to 60 years evaporation rates have been dropping steadily even though the planets temperature has been rising steadily. These reductions in pan evaporation matched exactly the results found in the reduction of sunlight. The resultant effect was called Global Dimming and now the science world has begun to get worried.
So what is it and what does it all mean?
It could be a case of damned it we do and damned if we don’t. Global Dimming is caused by large particles of pollutant escaping into the air and orbiting the planet, particles from jet engines and car exhausts and smoke etc. These particles block out sunlight thus dimming the planets surface and scientists now believe Global Dimming played a major part in the terrible famine in Ethiopia in the 80’s.
Reducing these particle emissions can have a huge effect in a short space of time. Tests done just after 9/11 showed a dramatic increase in surface temperature over three days simply due to the fact that all air craft were grounded.
On the upside Global Dimming may actually be helping retard the pace at which Global Warming is progressing. Global Warming is caused by the greenhouse effect i.e. the smaller non visible pollutant particles. It seems if we eradicate Global Dimming we will only serve to exacerbate Global Warming. Damned if we do and damned it we don’t. At the current rate and if the trend continues in 30 to 40 years famine could be widespread, the surface temperature of the planet could have increased by as much as 5 degrees, the ice caps will have melted, the global weather systems will be in turmoil and by stage it will be far too late to do anything about it.
So are you in the dark about Global Dimming?
