The finding that a reduction of atmospheric aerosol particles probably leads to more tropical storms, is making the rounds in the media.
The good news, I think, is that the Clean Air Act has resulted in measurable reduction of aerosols in our air, and that such measures can, over time, produce real results. Also good: that the identified storm effect is likely to become less significant over time as our atmosphere rebalances itself to something more like what prevailed in the 20th century.
Doug Smith, the co-author of this research, is quoted as saying "We don't want to give them the impression pollution is a good thing," by which he means that the effect of aerosol particles on increasing storm activity is not a good reason to let aerosols increase again, because they are dangerous to human health. Well, Dr. Smith, I wouldn't count on it.
The bad news is that some of our elected representatives will misuse the headlines from this study to suggest that legislation to protect the environment is unnecessary or misguided.
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