FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do small particles in the air (aerosols) have a warming or cooling effect on the climate?
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Both! In general, light-colored particles in the atmosphere will reflect incoming sunlight and cause a cooling effect. Dark-colored particles absorb sunlight and make the atmosphere warmer. Because different types of particles have different effects, aerosols are a hot topic in climate research.
Learn more about the climate effects of aerosols.