How does air pollution cause global warming?  What experts have to say.

Does air pollution cause global warming and is the earth really getting warmer?  A lot of people talk about global warming because the atmosphere around the earth is heating up. 🌎

I'll try to explain how air pollution affects global warming in a detailed and informative way.  Here's evidence that air pollution contributes to global warming.  I show how common pollutants can increase the greenhouse effect.  We're trying to make complex scientific concepts easy to understand.  

In this resource for anyone interested in air pollution and global warming, important questions about human activities and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are addressed.

Carbon Dioxide courtesy of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San DiegoScripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego

Though it has its critics, there's some evidence that it's already happened to some degree or another, and it certainly seems logical.  Over the past century, air pollution has contributed to global warming.

The Keeling Curve (above) shows the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere over time.  In 1958, Charles David Keeling started measuring atmospheric CO2.  It was chosen because it's far away from any major pollution sources and is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, making it perfect for measuring background levels of CO2. Keeling took his measurements at Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. 

The Keeling Curve shows that CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere have steadily increased since humans started burning fossil fuels on a large scale during the Industrial Revolution.  They have other graphs on their website with proxy data going back hundreds of years.  Plants take in CO2 during photosynthesis, so CO2 levels increase during the winter and decrease during the summer.  Keeling Curve symbolizes the impact of human activities on the Earth's environment and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

What's the deal with it? The atmosphere is the layer of air around our planet. A greenhouse effect is created by its layers. Why do you call it that? Gases in the air above stop long-wave radiation from traveling upward from the surface of the earth. A little of this energy goes back down to the surface and becomes part of a cycle, and the net effect is a gradual rise in surface temperature. In a greenhouse, glass stops the physical flow of air and prevents it from escaping.

While forming this barrier that keeps the heat near the planet, our atmosphere also protects us from ultraviolet rays.  The earth wouldn't be able to sustain life without this air surrounding it, and maybe you can say that earth would be more like the moon. Our common pollutants are increasing the natural greenhouse effect that's been going on for millions of years, say air quality experts. These alleged pollutants, like greenhouse gases, sometimes form naturally.

For instance:

Volcanoes, combustion, animals breathing, and organic decay produce carbon dioxide.  Bogs, animals, plants, and swamps all produce methane, which is twenty-one times stronger than carbon dioxide.

The second one is nitrous oxide.  Is this pollution causing global warming?  It's 300 times as powerful as carbon dioxide and comes from microbial processes and bacteria breaking down nitrogen on land and in water.

When natural conditions allow these gases to make up a huge part of the atmosphere, how can air pollution cause global warming? 

Reallly...

Does Air Pollution Cause Global Warming?

By burning fossil fuels to power cars, factories, and other "civilized" things, more gases could upset the delicate balance of these gases.

It used to be that the United States of America had the worst emissions and was regarded as one of the most obvious examples of air pollution causing global warming. Other nations have grown in this area while they've improved.  Getting back on track.

Global warming could have serious consequences if it turns out to be a problem.  There have been a lot of international air quality conferences to assess the situation and discuss what can be done. Let us know if we can help.

The polar ice caps would melt if the earth's temperature rose just a few degrees.  Sea level rise has been hypothesized to cause flooding in coastal cities worldwide.

Wandering Bug on your screenCreepy crawly

Al Gore summed up these potential consequences quite neatly in his 2006 blockbuster film, An Inconvenient Truth, where he expressed his passion and commitment to the process.  In recent years, not all of his predictions have come true, but they might in the future, and the principles he presented are still valid.

Global warming could also seriously impact agriculture, scientists worry.  The warmer temperatures might be good for crops in some areas,

 but they might also help insect pests thrive and eventually take over.  What do you think?  There's no problem for the earth.  It's happened before.

We're most worried about the immediate impacts of industrial air emissions.  If so, Calvin Consulting Group Ltd. can help.  It's more important to properly manage emissions of chemicals and particulates that impact the area within a few kilometres of a site than farther away, since by the time they're transported that far, they're usually dissipated down to marginal levels.  You can also hire our company for ambient air quality modelling modelling services if you need them.

Have I got the Wrong Idea?

Maybe you know something I don't. Something the world needs to hear about. This short website cannot include everything and if it's important to you, it's important to me.

So what's really the story with global warming? I'd like to know. If you have a picture, I'll even include it here. Try me.

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Additional Greenhouse Gases

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A few closing thoughts

Some predict that we will see air pollution cause global warming, widespread death and destruction, so it makes sense to use fewer fossil fuels, vote wisely, and donate to air pollution organizations.  Politics and economics have periodically preempted its position in the news in recent decades.  Everyone seems to have something to say, and some will try to convince you.

Think for yourself and do your own research. 

Need some help?  You might find what you're looking for on these websites:

Water body pollution - Pollution of water, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Global Warming - A description of how the Earth's temperature is rising as a result of greenhouse gases, some of which are generated by humans.

Reduce Global Warming - The Global Warming Solution consists of actions and strategies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of global warming.

Climate Change defined - The term "climate change" refers to a change in the Earth's climate, including changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events.

Global Warming Images - Images depicting how global warming is altering ecosystems, melting glaciers, and raising sea levels.

Rising Sea Levels - The impact of global warming on the world's oceans, including rising sea levels caused by the melting of polar ice caps and the thermal expansion of seawater.

Melting Glaciers and Loss of ice - Melting glaciers and global warming - Melting glaciers and global warming affects water resources, sea level rise, and biodiversity as a result of global warming.

Environment and Businesses - A study of the relationship between business practices, industrial processes, and the natural environment, including climate change, air and water quality, and ecosystem health.

New! Comments

Do you like what you see here? Please let us know in the box below.

Is air pollution responsible for global warming?  We might have to wait and see if that is so.

The greenhouse effect is important for life on earth, and the earth appears to be growing warmer.

Learn which substances in air pollution can cause global warming.


Do you have concerns about air pollution in your area??

Perhaps modelling air pollution will provide the answers to your question.

That is what I do on a full-time basis.  Find out if it is necessary for your project.


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