Why We Can Not Stop Using Fossil Fuels Too Fast!
I do think we must reduce the amount of fossil fuel-related aerosols going into the air quickly, I do think doing it too fast will be a disaster. There was a study I saw a few years back. Not sure where it was, and wish I had bookmarked it. They proposed the idea that if we stop using fossil fuels too fast, once the aerosols drop from the air, the climate will superheat very quickly. I think we are seeing a preview of that now. I do agricultural work and consulting mostly for organics. I was driving home one day during the early part of the pandemic. I had not seen the air that clear in probably more than twenty years, if ever. It reminded me of that study and the idea that if all the sulfates dropped out of the air it would possibly cause the climate to start to overheat. At that time I thought this would be a good real-world test of that study.
That was before the temperatures in the Great Northwest started to get crazy hot. Why wouldn’t we want to stop all the burning and extraction ASAP? That next spring we saw record temperatures in the Great Northwest and several other places around the globe.
—————————-
The idea referred to is related to the concept of “global dimming” or the “aerosol masking effect.” It suggests that the presence of certain aerosol particles, including sulfates, in the atmosphere has a cooling effect by reflecting sunlight into space. These aerosols are often produced due to burning fossil fuels and industrial processes. The concern is that if we suddenly reduce our use of fossil fuels without addressing these aerosol emissions, it could lead to rapid warming because the cooling effect of the aerosols would diminish.
This idea is based on scientific research, and it highlights the complex and interconnected nature of climate systems. Here are some key points:
- Aerosol Cooling: Aerosols, such as sulfates, can cool the Earth’s climate by scattering and reflecting sunlight. This cooling effect partially counteracts the warming effect of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Balancing Act: The presence of these aerosols in the atmosphere has, in some ways, been masking the full extent of global warming. This means that if we were to rapidly reduce aerosol emissions (for example, by abruptly reducing fossil fuel use), we could remove this cooling effect and allow the underlying warming from greenhouse gases to become more apparent.
- Complex Interactions: The interactions between aerosols, greenhouse gases, and climate systems are highly complex. Models used to simulate these interactions can vary in their predictions.
It’s important to note that this concept doesn’t mean we should continue to emit aerosols. Aerosols have negative health impacts and contribute to air pollution, and acid rain, among other issues. Instead, it underscores the importance of addressing both greenhouse gas emissions and aerosol emissions in a coordinated manner to mitigate climate change effectively.
To obtain temperature data refer to reputable climate organizations and databases. Some reliable sources for historical temperature data include:
- NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS): They provide historical temperature data, including global temperature anomalies. You can find their data and visualizations on their website.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) offers historical climate data and tools for accessing and visualizing temperature data.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): The IPCC often compiles and summarizes global temperature data in its assessment reports. You can find this information on their official website.
- Climate Data Websites: Websites like Berkeley Earth, Climate.gov, and the European Space Agency’s Climate Change Initiative provide historical climate data and visualizations.
You may also find pre-made charts and graphs on these organizations’ websites, allowing you to visualize temperature trends over the years leading up to now in September 2023.
