Aerosols such as smoke or dust suspended in the lower layers of the atmosphere can either heat up the planet by trapping solar radiation, or cool it by reflecting sunlight back into space. Little is known, however, about how much aerosols that are present much higher up — above the clouds — contribute to this warming.
Satellite analysis confirms rising temperatures and wind patterns are driving aerosol spikes across India, with a record high in 2022 following the historic lows of the COVID-19 lockdown.