Category Archives: Environment

Why do we care about aerosols?

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Rashid Faridi

Aerosols tend to cause cooling of the Earth’s surface immediately below them. Because most aerosols reflect sunlight back into space, they have a “direct” cooling effect by reducing the amount of solar radiation that reaches the surface. The magnitude of … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, Environment | Leave a comment

Volcanoes and Global Cooling

Posted on July 10, 2008 by Rashid Faridi

Volcanic eruptions are thought to be responsible for the global cooling that has been observed for a few years after a major eruption. The amount and global extent of the cooling depend on the force of the eruption and, possibly, … Continue reading →

Posted in climate change, Environment, Volcanoes | 1 Comment

Aerosols and Climate Change

Posted on July 9, 2008 by Rashid Faridi

For the past decade, we have been hearing about how rising levels of greenhouse gases – mainly carbon dioxide, but also methane, nitrous oxide, and the chlorofluorocarbons – will lead to global warming. Atmospheric physicists now recognise a new and … Continue reading →

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Blizzard

Posted on July 4, 2008 by Rashid Faridi

What is a blizzard? Blizzards are severe winter storms that pack a combination of blowing snow and wind resulting in very low visibilities. While heavy snowfalls and severe cold often accompany blizzards, they are not required. Sometimes strong winds pick … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Winds | 3 Comments