Human activities and natural events inject particles and particle precursor compounds into the atmosphere. Within the atmosphere, these particles, of varying origin and nature, constitute aerosols. Aerosols interact with radiation. Many also interact with clouds. These two types of interaction modulate the Earth's radiation balance. Aerosols therefore have an effect on climate, cooling or warming as the case may be. Overall, the effect is cooling. Aerosols are thus a means of limiting the current global warming.
However, aerosols are pollutants with major deleterious effects on health. As a consequence, it is imperative that we act vigorously to limit their emissions. But this deprives us of a means of fighting global warming.
We need to limit global warming and at the same time to reduce atmospheric pollution. It is mandatory, then, to limit both greenhouse gas emissions and emissions of aerosols and their precursors.
This is discussed in « Aerosols: Are They Beneficial or Harmful? » a study by Jean Poitou, SLC Scientific Committee.
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