Roads found the biggest transport cause of global warming

William Atkins
Sunday, 03 February 2008 21:48

Science - Climate

Critics point out that their abstract statement that “Shipping causes net cooling…” is inaccurate because, in actuality, it produces greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide) and fine particle matter (such as sulfates and soot).

The greenhouse gases warm the atmosphere but the fine particles cool the atmosphere.

However, as these scientists point out, the greenhouse gases remain in the atmosphere for a hundred years or so, while particulate matter falls back to Earth’s surface within a matter of days (from precipitation).

In other words, the cooling effect from particulate matter is short-term (matter of days) while the warming effect from carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is long term (a hundred years or so).

Thus, scientists--countering this statement from the Norwegian scientists that shipping does not have a warming effect on the Earth but rather a net cooling effect (more cooling than warming)--point out that the cooling effect from shipping is not really there to counter the warming effect.

Additional information on these critical remarks is found in the New Scientist article “Transport emissions study 'misleading' say experts.” (subscription needed)