There's More to Global Warming than CO2 - Brown Haze Killing Thousands
Cape Town Brown Haze
As our modern world wakes up amidst a thick brown haze and the dangers of the rather large carbon-footprint we are leaving on our planet, it is easy to put the blame on one thing, whilst overlooking another.
In the rush, and current trend of governments and media to point the finger at Carbon emissions as the villain, it is all too easy to forget about the other more subtle pollutants, whose contribution to global warming is perhaps even more significant.
Alarming reports around the world on local news stations of Ozone smogs, acid rains and good old fashioned smoke haze, are once again alarming scientists and environmentalists, as a massive ‘brown cloud' gathers over Asia. The same scientists who in the 80’s and 90’s, first targeted the impact 'brown haze' would have on mankind if left to accumulate.
North India / Himalayas
According to the research, accurately predicting the full effects of Brown Haze are complicated because components like acidic sulphate, scatter the sunlight in the atmosphere and shade the Earth’s surface, giving the appearnace of cooling it. Whilst other particles, particularly black soot from the fires, absorb solar energy and radiate it into the surrounding air, causing warming in the upper atmosphere. There is some suggestion that dust stirred up by growing 4WD activity around the planet, may also be adding to the mix.
The Himalayan Haze as seen from the air.
Ramanathan’s main concern with all this, is that this 'brown haze' is accelerating the melting of the galciers across the himalayas,’ with the potential for devastating effects, as more than 2 billion people’s lives depend on their meltwaters each year. Not to mention that it is affecting weather patterns as far south as Australia, where it is believed brown haze drift, has the ability to ‘…increase rainfall and flooding in the tropics;’ proving that pollution on one side of the planet, does affect people on the other side of the planet.
Chinese Brown Cloud
The other big factor of global warming, which goes beyond CO2, is the level of ozone currently being found in the smog, or haze itself. What many people don’t realise is that the ‘ozone’ is a greenhouse gas. Whilst it is very useful in the stratosphere – filtering out all that nasty ultraviolet radiation – it is deadly when found down here at ground level.
Unfortunately, recent findings published in Nature by UK-based researches from the Hadley Climate Centre, showed that the concentrations of ozone now found in the smog ~ at ground level of the planet, ‘… has doubled since pre-industrial times … and is continuing to rise.’
Left: Ozone Affected Plant
Anyway you look at it, it spells a timely warning to all voters and governments, not to wait for disaster before mitigating climate change policies; because they can, and DO make a difference.
The question must remain, not as to whether we can survive economically if these policies are made, but whether we can survive physically, if they are not.
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thanks heaps for the info
cheers
Louie
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I don’t blame you. I got out of Sydney in ’85 and remember it then. God knows it must be bad now. In just five years as more and more people escape to the north, Brisbane is becoming just as bad boasting it’s own brown haze, made even worse by the heat, and browner by the massive construction that is underway to accommodate all the ‘emigrating Mexicans’ … statistically some 1,000 per week still…!
I’m thinking it is time to escape again, too.
Friends of mine just left last week, to start a new life in Tasmania and I must say I was even contemplating the cold again too, to avoid it all...*chuckle* but for now the luxury of a warmer climate prevails …
As for our lungs, it can’t be good. I read somewhere the other day, that to live in downtown Chicago now, is the equivalent chemical concoction of smoking a packet of cigarettes a day!
The problem is that the ‘haze drift’ affects us all, even in Tasmania I guess?
Lilla …
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... it makes so much sense.
I just think everyone should understand it more, that's all...thanks for explaining it and helping people to do just that ...I'd love to read a post on this info. with links that explain the highlighted 'names' in more detail, because I'm not sure that I understand it all either... you know those politicians always talking but saying nothing...
Thanks again.
Lilla ...
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I'd believe all that of the haze. I was in Bangkok earlier this year, and can see why most people who live there wear masks when outside. Just being in the city outside leaves your whole body just feeling gross.
Anything that is in the air, and yet is found in such a strong concentration that at times you actually can't see buildings for the smog can't be good for you or the environment!
Kylie
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I remember seeing that brown haze over Johannesburg in the early mornings when I used to take my cousin to school. Last year when I was in HK it was even worse.
A documentary that I caught showed these little kids who were covered in gunk everyday from the pollution, no sport played in these places because the air wasn`t healthy - they couldn`t breath, and old people suffering with lung diseases after spending their lives in these terrible conditions.
The sad thing is that few realise the far reaching consequences of this pollution - just because you can see it in one part of the world doesn`t mean it`s not affecting another part of the world.
Tasmania is beautiful - I wonder what the consequences of this new pulp mill will be on the environment down there? Never mind the eyesore it will be too!
Ash
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I settled down to family matters in 1990 and haven't travelled to these parts since then. I cannot imagine it this bad, because I can remember it being really bad, back then!
our government hasn't been effective in standing against the American might, but these countries have too much population and must put economy matters aside and make changes ... but honestly what is worse, starving to death or dying of pollution?
The irony of karmic kickback to first world nations as the haze drifts, is almost laughable ...
Cheers
Lilla ....
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...there isn't much to add to your comment, because the truth of it is as heavy as the metals in the air... we can only look with dismay as the haze drifts onshore and in that respect even Tasmania will not be immune.
My Dad says we can't stop it, but i try to be more optimistic as there is much research that shows - because the earth is a living breathing (self correcting) orgamism, it could all be turned around in 10 years to almost pristine conditions again... but how long can the consumer go without his products, or the world without it's millionaires?
Sad, whichever you look at it.
Lilla ...
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Unfortunately - and looking at it from my simplistic viewpoint - govt's around the world continue to afford lip service to the problem - unless it means votes and/or dollars.
. . . yes - it's sad.
MNG
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My Dad used to live in the Blue Mtns and I can remember spending lovely holiday's up there, where the air was so clear...a luxury indeed... *chuckle* I can also remember the locals didn't like it when the wind was blowing in the wrong direction and they'd moan bitterly...
I'm hopeful that as tipping points are reached areound the globe, governments will have no other option but to make the necessary changes. The earth will right herself quickly once that happens, as happened in London after the 1962 killer smog.
I like to remain hopeful anyway?
Lilla ...
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Wonderful, enlightening post.... well researched as always. Thanks so much as always!
Mis
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I was fascinated as I followed this huge haze cloud as it drifts around our planet.
Whoa! Not good, I thought.
Hope your week is wonderful and haze free...
Lilla ...
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It's still pretty good down my way, though I notice cough a bit when I go into Hobart these days, probably as there's a lot more traffic now. I would be totally hopeless in a big city.
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I guess your words just go to prove that there really is nowhere that can be considered 'exempt' anymore... it really is a global problem, albeit, by degrees.
The Sunshine Coast isn't too bad yet either, but even a little pollution is made worse by the extreme heat and humidity in the summer. By February it gets breathless, unless it's cloudy and raining...luckily the climate change affects tropical places by creating more rain, although the rains keep the haze down too... but regardless, I feel that you are still better off in the cooler zones...
It's no secret that I'm only here because of my daughter's medical needs...not a big fan.
LIlla ...
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Thanks for the post - it definitely makes you aware of the impact we humans are having on the planet.
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THanks for your comment...it certainly does highlight the problems ... although there are pockets of China left that are still beautiful.
As for the poor athletes, the word is that many are thinking of flying in, competing and then flying out again to save their bodies from the damage that being in Beijing will cause?
It'll be interesting to see what really happens...
Happy travels
Lilla ...