www.theguardian.com If you wander into a pine forest and inhale the resinous smell, you could be experiencing the very thing that limits problematic levels of increased temperatures in the world. New research suggests a strong link between the powerful smell of pine trees and climate change. The research, published in the journal Nature, fills in a major gap in scientific understanding.
Researchers say they've found a mechanism by which these scented vapors turn into aerosols above boreal forests. One of the most significant but least understood sources of aerosols is the sweet-smelling haze found in pine forests in North America, northern Europe and Russia. These particles promote cooling by reflecting sunlight back into space and helping clouds to form.
Clouds can develop in a number of other ways, including volcanic activity, gasses from animals, cattle in particular, and by humans through the burning of coal and oil.
Researchers say they've found a mechanism by which these scented vapors turn into aerosols above boreal forests. One of the most significant but least understood sources of aerosols is the sweet-smelling haze found in pine forests in North America, northern Europe and Russia. These particles promote cooling by reflecting sunlight back into space and helping clouds to form.
Clouds can develop in a number of other ways, including volcanic activity, gasses from animals, cattle in particular, and by humans through the burning of coal and oil.
commons.wikimedia.org Now an international team of researchers say they have solved the chemical mystery by which the rich odors become reflective, cooling particles. The authors believe that the particle mist is playing a significant role in reducing the impact of rising temperatures on Earth.
The scientists stress that the new understanding is not a panacea for climate change as forests will stop emitting vapors if they become too stressed from heat or lack of water.
Meanwhile, controversy rages over whether a change is occurring at all, or, if it is, whether humans are the cause.
Last year, scientists working on the most authoritative study on climate change were urged to cover up the fact that the world’s temperature hasn’t risen for the last 15 years.
In the recent United Nations report compiled by hundreds of scientists, politicians in Belgium, Germany, Hungary and the United States raised concerns. 1998 was the hottest year on record and world temperatures have not yet exceeded it, which scientists have so far struggled to explain.
I'm no scientist, but I can see a remarkable change in weather patterns lately. This might be due to fluctuating cycles over the centuries as some have suggested. But, a major factor could be cutting down the world's wonderful forests.
The scientists stress that the new understanding is not a panacea for climate change as forests will stop emitting vapors if they become too stressed from heat or lack of water.
Meanwhile, controversy rages over whether a change is occurring at all, or, if it is, whether humans are the cause.
Last year, scientists working on the most authoritative study on climate change were urged to cover up the fact that the world’s temperature hasn’t risen for the last 15 years.
In the recent United Nations report compiled by hundreds of scientists, politicians in Belgium, Germany, Hungary and the United States raised concerns. 1998 was the hottest year on record and world temperatures have not yet exceeded it, which scientists have so far struggled to explain.
I'm no scientist, but I can see a remarkable change in weather patterns lately. This might be due to fluctuating cycles over the centuries as some have suggested. But, a major factor could be cutting down the world's wonderful forests.
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