We've all heard of global warming - the increase in the earth's average temperature that is largely thought to be due to our carbon emissions - but have you heard of global dimming? Global dimming is the term given to the gradual reduction of the sun's irradiance or the power of electromagnetic radiation at the earth's surface. What the heck is that and what does it mean to me?
Global dimming is an effect that happens when the sun's rays cannot penetrate an atmosphere that's filled with particulates. The result is cooler temperatures and a reduction in evaporation (which in turn, reduces rainfall). In fact, global dimming seems to have had a balancing effect to global warming - and now scientists think that we don't really know the true extent of global warming, due to global dimming. Recent reductions in CO2s have caused global dimming to lessen and now scientists predict an increase in global warming effects if the dimming effects are decreased.
New studies show that both global warming and global dimming must be dealt with simultaneously in order to keep the balance and correct both effects. How come we don't hear of global dimming? This could be a new crisis on the horizon.
Inform yourself:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_dimming
http://www.blueprintmagazine.ca/?p=200
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sun/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2003/dec/18/science.research1
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2058273530743771382
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