Pollution from Asia is causing stronger storms over the Pacific and warming temperatures in the North Pole, potentially changing weather patterns in North America. Aerosol pollution from coal-fired power plants, vehicle emissions, and industrial activities is the main cause. Air pollution particles can affect climate by reflecting and absorbing sunlight, producing more water vapor and leading to more precipitation during thunderstorms. Air pollution is responsible for one in eight deaths worldwide, with Delhi having the worst air quality and 41% of the world’s waste being burned.
According to the scientists, pollution in Asia is affecting the weather by pushing storm strength over the Pacific, which could lead to changes in overall weather patterns in North America. Pollution from aerosols, or fine particles of matter in the air, from Asia is thought to be causing faster cyclones over the Pacific Ocean and warming temperatures in the North Pole. The main causes of aerosol pollution are coal-fired power plants, vehicle emissions and other industrial activities. Particulate matter can affect climate because pollution can both reflect and absorb sunlight in the atmosphere. Air pollution particles produce more water vapor in the air which leads to more clouds and therefore more precipitation during thunderstorms.
Read more about pollution:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in eight deaths worldwide is caused by air pollution.
Delhi, India, is the city with the worst air quality in the world: pollution levels in 2013 reached more than 60 times the level considered safe by WHO.
An estimated 41% of the world’s waste is burned, leaving particles in the air.
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