Global dimming threatening Beijing, Delhi the most, warn scientists
November 11th, 2010 - 2:00 pm ICT by ANILondon, Nov.11 (ANI): Scientists and environmental experts scheduled to attend a UN-sponsored Environment Program in Cancun, Mexico, this month, have warned that “global dimming” is emerging as the latest threat to planet Earth, and added that cities like Beijing and New Delhi lie just beneath atmospheric brown cloud, thought to be caused mainly by the use of wood-burning stoves.
Pollution from soot is now so great that some parts of Asia get a quarter of the sunlight they had 50 years ago - affecting plants’ ability to grow, the BBC quotes the experts, as saying.
The soot, also called black carbon, is not only damaging agriculture. The heat it traps may increase climate change problems, like melting ice.
Achim Steiner, head of the UN’S Environment Program, said: “Inefficient cooking stoves are estimated to be responsible for 25 per cent of emissions of black carbon.”
Frank Kelly, Professor of Environmental Health at King’s College, London, said last night: “It’s a real phenomenon. This brown cloud comes from wooden cook stoves - and a lot from when crops are burned at the end of the season.
There is a downside to solving the problem - because soot in the atmosphere absorbs heat, so removing it may actually speed global warming. (ANI)
- Soot emissions key factor in global warming, says expert - Jul 29, 2010
- Geoscientists call for reducing soot emissions - Jun 26, 2010
- Soot and dust damaging Himalayas: NASA - Dec 16, 2009
- Soot on Tibetan snow 'causes more rainfall over India and China' - Mar 04, 2011
- Indian scientist says clean cooking stoves can save the planet - Apr 19, 2009
- Stove fumes as big a killer as AIDS - Dec 17, 2010
- Don't let frustration paralyse climate talks: UN environment chief (Interview) - May 25, 2010
- Thick clouds of pollution block sunlight in worlds major cities - Nov 26, 2008
- Black carbon 'contributes' to global warming - Jul 30, 2010
- Climate talks near finale with agreements still on hold - Dec 10, 2010
- For rural homes, a lamp that's also a stove! (With Image) - Feb 14, 2011
- Clouds of soot melting glaciers in Himalayas and Tibetan plateau - Oct 05, 2009
- Growth in Asia at high environmental cost: UN - Sep 19, 2011
- Indoor pollution ups cardio risk among women - Jul 10, 2011
- Nobel laureate Maathai's death mourned - Sep 26, 2011
Tags: beijing, black carbon, brown cloud, cancun mexico, climate change problems, college london, cook stoves, crops, downside, environment program, environmental experts, frank kelly, global warming, melting ice, New Delhi, planet earth, s college, soot, steiner, wood burning stoves