The Arctic has warmed more quickly over the last century than the rest of the planet, a warming observed to be about 1.2 degrees Celsius. According to a new study, this warming could have been even worse. Aerosols, particles or droplets created as a byproduct of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuel, wood and coal, have offset increases in Arctic air temperature.
Using climate models, researchers showed that aerosols have decreased Arctic air temperature by about 1.8°C. This aerosol brake is likely to diminish in the future and so the researchers conclude that more profound changes to the Artic climate are in store, unless we significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.
Original research paper published in Nature Climate Change on February 9, 2015.
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