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Aerosols and India’s Warming: Why Cleaner Air Raises Heat Risk

3 April 20251 min read
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGYAerosols andIndia’s Warming:Why Cleaner AirRaises Heat Risk3 April 2025safalsetu.com

Why in the news

Research discussion showed that cleaning up air pollution can unmask warming that aerosols were hiding, creating a dual challenge for India.

About aerosols

  • Natural sources: sea spray, mineral dust, volcanic eruptions, natural fires.
  • Human sources: industrial emissions, fossil fuel burning, farming activity.
  • Types: inorganic (sea salt, dust, sulphates) and organic (soot, organic carbon, black carbon).

Findings

  • Without aerosols, India would have warmed about 2°C instead of 0.54°C during 1906-2005.
  • Aerosols weaken Indian monsoon rainfall through uneven cooling, especially in the northern hemisphere.
  • Cutting them might improve monsoon rain, but regional effects are uncertain.

Policy implications

  • Net-zero carbon alone is not enough, so heat adaptation is needed in polluted zones.
  • Cities should strengthen heat action plans; cleaner air will cut respiratory disease.

Exam angle

  • Aerosol cooling versus GHG warming is a likely concept question.
  • Related terms: sulphates, black carbon, heat action plans.

Test yourself

1. What effect do aerosols such as sulphates and nitrates mainly have on temperature, per these notes?

They scatter sunlight and create a temporary cooling effect.

2. According to the notes, without aerosols India's temperature would have risen by roughly how much (1906-2005)?

The notes say about 2°C instead of 0.54°C.

3. Which region is named as highly polluted and needing heat adaptation if aerosols fall sharply?

The notes name the Indo-Gangetic plains for heat adaptation.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 3 April 2025 (23 topics).

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