Cleaner Ship Fuels Linked to Unexpected Ocean Warming Surge
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters
New shipping fuel regulations introduced in 2020 have significantly reduced sulphur dioxide emissions, but this has inadvertently contributed to ocean warming by reducing cloud cover that reflects sunlight. The reduction in SO2, which has a cooling effect by forming aerosols, may have been responsible for 80% of the planet's net heat uptake since 2020, particularly in busy shipping lanes. This finding highlights the complex relationship between pollution control and climate change.