East Asia Air Pollution Cuts Accelerate Global Warming Since 2010

Recent studies have found that China's and East Asia's aggressive air pollution cleanup efforts, particularly the 75 percent reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions since around 2013, have significantly contributed to the acceleration of global warming observed since 2010. Aerosols from air pollution, notably sulfate aerosols, have historically cooled the planet by reflecting sunlight, effectively masking some human-induced greenhouse gas warming. The reduction of these aerosols has removed this 'artificial sunshade,' revealing more of the warming impact from greenhouse gases and adding about 0.05 to 0.07 degrees Celsius of additional warming per decade. While these air quality improvements have clear public health benefits, researchers caution that without simultaneous reductions in CO₂ emissions, the planet loses a layer of protection against climate change, leading to intensified warming and its associated risks such as extreme heat and disrupted weather patterns. This complex relationship highlights the need for integrated climate policies addressing both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, China and the EU are preparing new climate action plans ahead of the U.N. COP30 summit to set more comprehensive and ambitious targets.