TED Talks Daily How aerosols brighten clouds — and cool the planet | Sarah J. Doherty
9 snips
May 10, 2024 
Atmospheric scientist Sarah J. Doherty dives into the paradox of aerosols, which harm human health but also cool the planet. She discusses the unintended consequences of reducing these pollutants and introduces marine cloud brightening—using sea salt aerosols to reflect sunlight and potentially lower global warming. Doherty emphasizes the relationship between aerosol emissions and cloud dynamics, and the importance of inclusive community engagement in climate solutions. Her insights challenge us to think critically about our environmental impacts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Aerosols' Dual Role
- Human-made aerosols contribute to both air pollution and climate cooling.
- Cleaning up aerosol emissions could unintentionally accelerate climate warming.
Aerosols and Cloud Brightness
- Aerosols cool the climate by making clouds brighter, reflecting sunlight.
- The effect varies depending on atmospheric conditions and cloud types.
Ship Track Example
- Ship tracks illustrate how aerosols brighten clouds.
- Ships emit aerosols, creating clouds with smaller, more reflective droplets.