Earth is Warming Faster Than Ever. But Why?
Slashdot
by EditorDavidFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Earth's warming has accelerated at a record pace over the past three decades, with temperatures rising nearly 0.27 degrees Celsius per decade—about a 42% increase compared to previous trends. This acceleration is partly due to reduced sulfate aerosol pollution, which had previously masked some of the greenhouse gas-induced warming by reflecting sunlight and causing cooling. As countries cracked down on aerosol emissions, particularly from coal and oil, global sulfur dioxide emissions dropped by 40% since the mid-2000s, with even steeper declines in China.
However, recent record-breaking temperatures can't be fully explained by aerosols alone. A study published in *Science* found that about 13% of the 2023 heatwave couldn’t be attributed to natural variability or aerosol effects. Instead, decreasing low-lying cloud cover may be playing a role. These clouds reflect sunlight, and their decline has likely contributed to additional warming. While some researchers link this shift to reduced aerosols, others suggest it could be a feedback loop: warmer temperatures making it harder for clouds to form.
If the warming acceleration is due to aerosol reductions, it might stabilize once emissions reach zero. But if cloud dynamics are driving the trend, warming could continue to intensify, worsening extreme weather like heatwaves and storms. This shift raises questions about how Earth's climate system will respond in a rapidly changing environment.
For tech enthusiasts, this matters because innovations in clean energy and pollution control are directly influencing these trends. The transition from fossil fuels to
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Originally published on Slashdot on 2/14/2026