GLOBAL DIMMING

PRESENTATION BY: SIBTAIN ALI

11-ENV-94
POINTS TO BE DISCUSSED
Introduction to global dimming
Impacts of global dimming
Remedial measures and prevention



WHAT IS GLOBAL DIMMING?

Global dimming is the gradual reduction in the amount of global
direct irradiance at the Earth's surface.

Gradual reduction in the amount of solar radiation causing a cooling
effect.

Decline of sunlight reaching the Earth surface.





GLOBAL DIMMING(CONTD)
Systematic measurements initiated in 1950s revealed that
the average amount of sunlight has markedly decreased
Dubbed as GLOBAL DIMMING by an English scientist Gerry
Stanhill in 2001.
Measurements, concludes that the reduction has globally
averaged per year, equivalent to a reduction of 2.7- 4% per
decade.
Their effects are complex and vary in time, location, and
altitude
POLLUTANTS CAUSING GLOBAL
DIMMING
Burning of fossil fuels and Biomass produce pollutants
i.e.
Sox's ,smoke, soot, ash and other pollutants.




SULPHATE AEROSOLS
Fossil fuels, factories ,volcanoic ash ,burning coal,
decomposition of sulphur containig gases i.e carbonyl
sulfide

CONTRAILS
causing heat reflection
During the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, all
commercial flights were grounded for the next three days and
it was found that the temperature rose by some 1 degree
centigrade in that period of 3 days.


PHENOMENON OF GLOBAL
DIMMING
Pollutants and aerosol particles enter the atmosphere
and causing the formation of brown and polluted clouds.
Water droplets are seeded by air-borne particles,
Polluted air results in clouds with larger number of
droplets than unpolluted clouds.
PHENOMENON OF GLOBAL
DIMMING(CONT.)
Makes those clouds more reflective. More of the suns
heat and energy is therefore reflected back into space
Aerosols and other particulates absorb solar energy and
reflect sunlight back into space.








IMPACTS OF GLOBAL DIMMING

Global dimming has tragic and devastating effects on the
earths environment and living beings. The pollutants
causing global dimming also leads to acid rain, smog and
respiratory diseases in humans.
It is impactful on Earths hydrological and biological
systems.
CHANGE IN RAINFALL PATTERN
Scientists believe that the reflection of heat have
interfered with the hydrologic cycle which have made
waters in the northern hemisphere cooler. As a result,
reducing evaporation and less rain has formed crucial
rainfall has failed to arrive over the Sahel in Northern
Africa.
MASSIVE FAMINES AND
DROUGHTS SEVERITY
Between 1970s and 1980s, massive famines
were caused by failed rains.
Reduction in the amount of rain reaching certain parts
of the globe, resulting in drought and famine
situations. This has tragic consequences like miserable
lives and deaths due to starvation.

BILLIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED IN
ASIA

Scientists said that the impact of global dimming might
not be in the millions, but billions. The Asian monsoons
bring rainfall to half the worlds population. If this air
pollution and global dimming has a detrimental impact
on the Asian monsoons some 3 billion people could be
affected.

GLOBAL DIMMING HIDING THE TRUE POWER
OF GLOBAL WARMING

The positive aspect of global dimming is that it covers the
drastic effects of global warming.
Global dimming has led to an underestimation of the power
of global warming.
Both of them can prove fatal for our environment and need
to be solved together
It is also difficult to place the effect of the two, and find a
balance point that will be beneficial for human and its
environment.
AFFECTS PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN PLANTS
Global dimming is also believed to cause heat waves and
runaway fires. Also, decrease in sunlight or solar
radiation will negatively impact process of
photosynthesis in plants.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND AGRICULTURE
Reduction of global temperature can affect agriculture :
The potential for soils to support agriculture and distribution
of land use will be influenced by changes in soil water
balance.
Influence the productivity of vegetable and food production.
Field crops will be particularly affected by temperature
changes.

HEALTH PROBLEMS
The pollutants that lead to global dimming also lead to
various human and environmental problems, such as smog,
respiratory problems, and acid rain.
The impacts of global dimming itself, however, can be
devastating.
Particulate matter released during the burning of fossil fuels
demonstrates serious health risks to humans, causing
respiratory conditions, as well as environmental
problems due to the formation of smog and acid rain.

Reduce the emission of soot, ash, sulphur, particulate matter
and other toxic particles entering into the atmosphere .







How can we reduce these emissions?
Control devices at industries stacks.
Create set of laws and ensure their implementation.
Limit the use of aerosol sprays
Gas emitting from factories can be controlled to acceptable
levels.

Balance both Global warming and Global dimming can be kept
in control.

Spread awareness about global dimming in every part of
world.





Optimal use of Green Technology displacing fossil fuels and
reducing by products i.e sulphate aerosols etc
These include:
1. Photovoltaic (PV) solar power
2. Wind energy
3. Hydroelectricity
4. Geothermal energy
5. Biomass energy

Protect our natural resources such as forest, oceans and snow
capped mountains.


According to the U.S. EPA saving energy can reduce emissions.
Because most energy sources require burning fossil fuels, the
less energy you use, the greener you are.


THINGS YOU DO AT HOME
Use compact fluorescent bulbs
Reduce the usage of refrigerants and air-conditioners
use microwave instead of ovens
Keep the air filters clean from the furnace
Try walking, biking and use public transportation.



Buy energy-efficient appliances with the "Energy Star" label
Charge batteries rather than throw them away.
Avoid using plastic bags
HISTORIC EVENTS
RELATED TO
GLOBAL DIMMING
BY:
M. USMAN SALEEM
HISTORY:
An ancient concept.
21
st
Century Research related to global dimming.
Air pollution main cause.
Extent differs regionally (1961-90).
Dropping the planets temperature by more than a degree
Celsius (James Hansen).

1. LAKI ERUPTION COOLS EUROPE:
1783-------Benjamin Franklin took a step forward.
Studied Volcanic eruption in Laki .
Devastating impact on Icelandic population.
During peak episodes of the event, large portions of Iceland were covered
by fine volcanic ash and haze (gases and aerosols).
Caused a drop in global temperatures, as sulfur dioxide was ejected into the
Northern Hemisphere.
Caused crop failures in Europe and,
Ultimately caused famine.



2. DINOSAURS EXTINCTION THEORY EARLY 1980S
Giant Asteroid hit the earth and debris were sent into the atmosphere
(Walter and Luis Alvarez,1980)
Cooled the planet and killed off the dinosaurs.
Volcanic eruptions clouded the skies (another leading theory).
But, the basic mechanism of global cooling was the same.
Aroused public awareness about climatic changes.
Encouraged scientists to explore global dimming.
3. ICE CORES REVEAL PAST TRENDS 1970S 1980S
Massive volcanic eruptions of dust and sulfuric acid had triggered climate
cooling (GRIP).
Sulfuric acid and other small particle sulfates persist in the stratosphere for
years.
Sulfate aerosols (natural/anthropogenic) ------ main culprits in climate
cooling
4. DIMMING RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE 1980S:
22% dimming observed in Israel between 1950 to 1980 (Gerry Stanhill).
It hardly made a splash in scientific community.
But others also determined reduction in sunlight.
9 % in Antarctica, 10 % in areas of the U.S., 16 % in parts of Great Britain,
and almost 30 % in Russia.
He coined the term GLOBAL DIMMING.
Human activities and pollution the main cause.

5. INDIAN OCEAN STUDY 1990S (PROJECT INDOEX)
$25 million multinational study spanning four years.
led by Veerabhadran Ramanathan
the sunlight reaching the ocean in the northern regions cut down by more
than 10%.
Cause two miles thick pollutant layer.
Toxic mix of soot, sulfates, and other pollutants directly blocked sunlight
Also spawn clouds that reflected the sun's energy back to space.
REFERENCES
http://www.planetextinction.com/planet_extinction_global_dimming.ht
m
http://prezi.com/oadh3917u8jj/global-dimming/
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/sep/30/owen-
paterson-minister-climate-change-advantages
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168192300002410
http://www.climatechangesask.com/html/learn_more/Solutions/GeoEng
ineering/Solar_Radiation_Management_/Global_Dimming/index.cfm
http://www.geoengineeringwatch.org/global-dimming-2