· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on ABC News or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: 2024 was the hottest year on record, surpassing 2023, with scientists puzzled by the magnitude of the temperature spike
• While El Niño and global warming are key factors, researchers are investigating additional causes
• NASA’s PACE satellite, launched in 2024, may help uncover how atmospheric aerosols are influencing Earth's energy balance
🔭 The context: Aerosols—tiny particles in the atmosphere—can reflect sunlight and cool the planet, but pollution control efforts have drastically reduced their concentration
• Less aerosol pollution means more sunlight reaches Earth’s surface, potentially accelerating warming
• The PACE satellite will provide new data to help scientists understand how different aerosols absorb and scatter light, affecting climate trends
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The unexpectedly high 2024 temperature rise highlights potential gaps in climate models
• If aerosol reductions are a hidden driver of warming, it could reshape climate mitigation strategies
• Understanding aerosols better could improve future climate projections and policies
⏭️ What's next: NASA’s PACE satellite data has been available since April 2024 but is still undergoing verification
• Once fully operational, it will provide critical insights into atmospheric aerosols and their climate impact
• Scientists expect final validation later in 2025, potentially reshaping our understanding of global warming
💬 One quote: “For decades, we’ve been removing aerosols from our air without fully realizing the potential cascading effects of these actions.” – ABC News
📈 One stat: The level of greenhouse gases in 2024 reached the highest annual levels ever recorded on Earth
Click for more news covering the latest on climate change
