by Kym Luttermoser
3. October 2011
I recently read an article that stated that South Asian summer monsoons have gotten drier over the past half century. Climate scientists say this could be caused by aerosol particles in the atmosphere that are produced by the burning of fossil fuels. From 1950 to 1999 there was a 10 percent drop in average June to September rainfall in central-northern India. Climate scientists say the drying does not seem to be due to greenhouse gas emissions, even though the burning of fossil fuels emits climate-warming carbon dioxide. Aerosol particles seem to have slowed down climate warming over South Asia, by reflecting some sunlight back into space. That cooling effect also happens to slow down the north-south air patterns that are responsible for bringing in the monsoon rains.
The article made me think of two things. One, I live in Phoenix and we also experience and rely on summer monsoon rains for part of our meager rainfall for the year. This year’s monsoon season in Phoenix was quite dry, though we did have several dust storms. The link between aerosol particles and a decrease in rainfall caught my eye and made me wonder if something like that could happen or has ever happened in the United States. Developed countries tend to have stricter regulations on air emissions, but… Thought number two was of the recent passage of a bill by the House of Representatives to block regulations that would impose tighter restrictions on industries that emit unhealthy air pollutants. Those that support the bill say that tighter air pollution regulations would hurt the job market and cause businesses financial strain by having to comply with the new, stricter regulations. On the flip side, the director of the Sierra Club, Michael Brune, said, “Sacrificing tens of thousands of American lives will not create more jobs. Burdening the American people with billions of dollars in health bills will not lead to economic growth.”
Regardless of the economy or politics, I wonder how failing to impose stricter air pollution regulations or even loosening the ones currently in place could affect our climate in ways we haven’t considered. A decrease in rainfall could lead to an increased dependence on already limited supplies of groundwater, which could lead to a decrease the number of crops that can be grown on U.S. soil, which could increase our dependence on crops from other countries…the list could go on and on. It just makes me realize, once again, that one decision can have multiple, far-reaching impacts that have not necessarily been thought of as even a possibility.
