China and Pollution

[BethesdaWX]

http://thegwpf.org/the-observatory/3442-the-chine-syndrome.html

. Since 2005 China has had a major effort to install state-of-the-art desulphurisation in its coal-fired plants installing more such units than the rest of the world combined. In the first five months of 2007 alone, China installed 27.6 GW of flue gas desulphurisation equipment.At the end of 2008 China’s installed capacity of flue gas desulphurisation in power plants totalled 379 GW accounting for 66% of the countries coal-fired capacity, according to its National Development and Reform Commission. Today 75% of all desulphurisation systems are being installed in China.

Looking at the aerosol data it is apparent that the global aerosol burden declined between 1960 – 1980. Remer et al, despite showing strong aerosol forcing over China, shows no trend in global aerosol depth between 2000 – 2006, a period that includes the Kaufmann analysis.

In 2007 Nasa stated that the aerosol burden had reduced, and even said that the “thinning” of the atmosphere had given a push to global warming.

Additionally, the increase in Chinese coal consumption has not shown itself in the global temperature data, either globally or in individual northern and southern hemisphere data. Over the past 12 years there is no sign of it. It would be too much of a coincidence to expect that all of its influence on the annual global temperature was negated by other effects that exactly compensated for it!

[tacoman25]

The same faulty reasoning was given for the flat/slightly cooling temperatures of the 1950s/1960s (aerosol pollution), but now it is apparent that the majority of the global temperature trends during that period were due to the PDO. Science has consistently over-estimated human effects on climate.

[Clifford]

Note, NASA isn't saying the atmosphere is thinning, rather the "sunscreen" from sulphur and aerosols is thinning.

The big question that comes up is whether these aerosols are actually cooling the atmosphere, and that cleaning the smokestacks causes a rebound temperature increase. There have even been proposals to make artificial smog for cooling the planet.

However, China's efforts sound like a step forward including the health and quality of life benefits from cleaning the smog. More effort is being done with clean emissions in China now than other parts of the world because the USA, Canada, and Europe have already done it decades ago. But I have no doubt that other 3^rd world countries will have to follow the example in the future. India?