A 3-kilometer thick blanket of smog, stretching from the Arabian Peninsula to the Pacific Ocean has been found by UN scientists to darken vast areas of Asia. The cloud is made up of small sooty particles, caused by factories, fires, automobile emissions and deforestation, and actually creates the deceptive effect of cooling in the midst of catastrophic global warming. Consequences are widespread, since the particulate matter easily dissipates and spreads. Some settles on glaciers, its dark color absorbing heat and exacerbating melting, while contaminating the source of mountain streams, used in the region for drinking water.
Although the cloud may bar the sun’s rays over some parts of Asia, it may accelerate warming in vulnerable areas, with effects that include a shorter monsoon season in India and increased flooding in both India and southern China.
How will crops fare in this unnatural scenario? Less sunlight and greater ozone concentrations mean lower photosynthetic activity and possibly more plant damage from soot, leading ultimately to lower harvests. Full Story: Reuters
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