India’s push to reduce air pollution by curbing aerosol emissions may inadvertently accelerate warming and increase extreme heat in vulnerable regions. Researchers have warned that while aerosol reduction could improve air quality, it could also trigger an accelerated rise in temperature without simultaneous action on greenhouse gas emissions. The findings were published in November 2024 in Geophysical Research Letters.

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• Reducing aerosol emissions in India may worsen warming and extreme heat, affecting vulnerable populations.
• Aerosols, such as sulphates, have a cooling effect by blocking solar radiation, counteracting some greenhouse gas effects.
• Without reducing greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously, aerosol removal may speed up warming in the short term.
• India faces a dilemma of improving air quality while mitigating the effects of climate change.
• Thermal power plants contribute significantly to aerosol emissions due to burning coal.
• Aerosols are estimated to have offset about 1.5°C of warming in India, but their removal could lead to an immediate temperature rise.
• India’s temperature rose by 0.7°C between 1901 and 2018, mainly due to greenhouse gases, but partially offset by aerosols.
• A potential reduction in aerosols could lead to reduced monsoon rainfall, complicating India’s hydrological cycle.
• Experts stress the importance of long-term adaptation plans to protect vulnerable populations from sudden heat increases.
• The immediate benefits of reducing air pollution are likely to outweigh the long-term risks of increased heat or altered rainfall patterns.