Global dimming is simply described as the reduction in the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth. This is caused by the following, increased amount of particulate matter and pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and soot. Due to the increase in energy demand, fossil fuel combustion has led to the emission of green house gases which causes global dimming. These subatances coalease with water droplet on the cloud, as the pollution increases more bonds are formed and a reflective layer is formed the impedes solar radiation from reaching the surface of the earth.
The opposite of this phenomena is Global warming, whereby these greenhouse gases, particulate matter envolopes a chamber of the earth, disallowing heat from escaping into the atmosphere. This cause an increase in temperature. GHG traps infrared radiation disallowing its escape to space.[1]
GHG has a alot of detrimental effect on the ecosystem and the planet as a whole.
CO produced as a result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, have effect on the circulatory system of human beings, disrupting the heam group in the human blood, they can also slow down reflexes and actions, cause diziness and brief loss in memory[2]
CFC released from aerosols and cooling systems affects the stratosphere and depletes the ozone layer which serves as a protective layer, preventing us from the harmful effect of Ultraviolet radiation from the sun.The long term exposure to UV can lead to cancer.
Global climate change is as a result of GHG which have heat trapping capabilities[3]released to the atmosphere thus raising the world temperature by some degrees.
[1] SPE Conference paper, 'The Enhanced greenhouse effect of climate change, an assesment'
Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy, Volume 1, Issue 1, 2006
[2] Brigden, K. and Santillo, D. 2002. Hazardous Emissions from Philippine Coal-Fired Power Plants, Exeter, UK: Greenpeace Research Laboratories, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Exeter
[3]National Geographic; http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw…