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Leaded Gas May Have Slowed Climate Change

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 19, 2009 7:49 PM CDT

(Newser) – The dirty fumes of leaded gas may have curbed global warming for a few decades in the 20th century, the New Scientist reports. Researchers in Washington state have found that lead particles are key to creating ice crystals, which help form clouds—which aid global cooling by reflecting sunlight back into space. The use of leaded gas, now phased out for road vehicles, may explain the slowing of climate change between 1940 and 1980.

Leaded gas may have helped curb global warming in the 20th century, although it's an approach we won't want to reprise, the New Scientist reports.
Leaded gas may have helped curb global warming in the 20th century, although "it's an approach we won't want to reprise," the New Scientist reports.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
freethemall
Apr 21, 2009 2:06 AM CDT
The National Academy of Sciences has concluded that the global warming phenomena is real, and is in all likely hood significantly exacerbated by human activity. These are scientists, and skepticism is an integral part of the scientific method, and most certainly was a part of the process that led them to this assessment. It is ludicrous to imply that gullibility has caused me to share the same opinion as the academy.
whtmountain
Apr 20, 2009 10:28 AM CDT
What are you saying?? Smog is good for the enviroment?
RobN
Apr 20, 2009 3:52 AM CDT
They mde the correction after Reader correctly pointed out the mistake.

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