Scientists around the world have made a startling discovery that may have serious implications for life on Earth: sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface has been declining steadily in recent decades. This phenomenon, known as “global dimming,” is caused by tiny particles from burning coal and oil blocking out the sun’s heat.
The effects of global dimming are far-reaching, and already linked to thousands of deaths due to drought and famine. It also means that current predictions about global warming may be seriously underestimated. Scientists from Israel, Germany, the US, and Australia were all involved in researching this phenomenon.
As more fossil fuels are burned more cleanly, global dimming is reduced – potentially unleashing the full impact of climate change. The worst-case scenarios predict temperatures rising by 10 degrees by the end of this century – twice more than previously thought. Global dimming is linked to failed rains in Africa which have caused devastating droughts in Ethiopia and could happen again across Asia where billions of people live.
This documentary from BBC’s Horizon program reveals new information about global dimming and its potential consequences for our planet. Unless proactive actions are taken soon to combat both global dimming and global warming, our climate will face radical changes that render entire parts of the world virtually uninhabitable. If you’re interested in learning more about this groundbreaking research, be sure to watch this documentary!
