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What is 'global dimming'?
Airborne particles in the atmosphere, released since the start of the industrial revolution, mean less sunlight reaches the planet's surface. These small particles reflect the sun's heat back out to space - global dimming.
Industry and transport are reducing emissions, which is improving air quality. This could reduce the global dimming effect, and mean global warming might happen faster and be more severe.
Small airborne particles (aerosols) from natural sources, such as volcanoes, wildfires, dust, sea-salt spray and desert sands also have a cooling effect on the planet so understanding the impact of all types of aerosols on the climate is important.
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