Bizarre & wonderful · Earlier selection
Less dust in the atmosphere may be adding to warming
A UCLA study estimates that atmospheric desert dust fell by about 10% between 2003 and 2023.
Reported on 16 September, the research combines satellite observations, ground measurements and modelling. Because dust has a small cooling effect overall, its decline may have modestly increased warming. The researchers say the causes of the decline remain unclear; the finding does not mean airborne pollution is beneficial to breathe.
GO TO THE SOURCE
UCLA ↗ (opens a new tab)Primary institutional report or research paper, independently condensed. Findings and proposals are attributed to the source, with their limitations; no source prose, charts or photography reproduced.
AI-assisted original summary, checked against the linked source on 20 Sept 2026, 01:33 BST. Illustration is AI generated and does not document the event.
Report an error or rights concern