How aerosols brighten clouds — and cool the planet | Sarah J. Doherty

How aerosols brighten clouds — and cool the planet | Sarah J. Doherty

Here's a conundrum: the same aerosol pollutants that harm human health also help cool the climate, says atmospheric scientist Sarah J.

Doherty.

Is there a way to clean up the air without warming the planet?

Exploring the unintended consequences of reducing air pollution, she makes the case for a better understanding of marine cloud brightening — or intentionally adding sea salt aerosols to clouds over the ocean, which could reflect sunlight back into space and potentially reduce global warming.