Scientists have revealed efforts to reduce air pollution have come with an unintended consequence — an increase in hurricane activity
A 50 per cent decrease in aerosols over the past four decades has led to a 33 per cent increase in the number of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic according to NOAA Research.
Meanwhile, a 40 per cent increase in aerosol pollution in China and India over the same period actually sparked a 14 per cent decline in the number of tropical cyclones in the region.
During this time air pollution surged throughout China and India, as the nations’ saw a boom in economic and industrial growth.
Aerosol pollutions are particles in the air produced by vehicles and factories which burn fossil fuels.
Aerosols cause poor air quality and are bad for human health, but do not cause global warming like carbon dioxide or methane.
In fact aerosols have an overall cooling effect on the climate by reflecting sunlight back to space.
“Decreasing aerosol emissions is something that’s good for human health; but on the other hand, we found there are some bad effects when we reduce aerosol emissions — and that is hurricane activity,”
Hiro Murakami, researcher, noaa
The lead author of the study, Hiro Murakami says this doesn’t mean governments should stop trying to reduce air pollution.
“Aerosol decrease may lead to good health, but on the other hand, hurricane risk increases. This is where good things accompany bad things. It’s kind of like pros and cons.” He says.
Researchers found the United States’ Clean Air Act and similar actions in Europe led to the ocean absorbing more sunlight, leading to warmer sea surface temperatures and therefore, more storms.
