The EUCAARI (European Integrated project on Aerosol Cloud Climate and Air Quality Interaction) project has concluded its study and submitted its report saying that atmospheric aerosol particles (also known as particulate matter) are concealing the true level of global warming induced by greenhouse gas emissions.
The report indicates that the present aerosol induced cooling effect will ultimately get reduced drastically by 2030 due to positive steps taken to cut down the level of air pollution all over the world and the global mean temperature will witness a rise of 1° Celsius.
The project performed from 2007 to 2010 with a budget of 15 million Euros was managed by Professor Markku Kulmala from Finland located University of Helsinki and received participation from 48 research institutes from 24 countries. The research offered more details on the formation of aerosol and its impacts at all levels. The research considers that measuring of the influence of aerosols on the radiative balance (heating or cooling) of the earth will improve the level of predictions about expected climate changes. Though the aerosols contribute to reduction in global warming they also have harmful effects on the health of the people and cause alarming level of early deaths in Europe every year.
The EUCAARI research also has found effective strategies to reduce air pollution in Europe. It found that reducing the levels of ammonia discharges cuts down mass concentration of aerosol and betters the air quality in Europe. It also found that reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions at Eastern Mediterranean area brings down air pollution in the area considerably. On nitric oxide air pollution it established that attempts to bring down its level leads to higher ozone levels impacting air quality. The research detected that reducing of organic aerosol concentrations is more difficult and require drastic reduction in discharges of gas and aerosol from the transportation sector and biomass burning.
The project conducted its studies utilizing satellite, aircraft and ground-based platforms in India, Brazil, South-Africa, China and Europe. The research has provided an insight about the life-cycle of aerosol thus enabling our efforts to improve climate conditions and reduce the air pollution level.
Source: http://www.helsinki.fi/university/