Amazon Under Threat From Cleaner Air

The UK and Brazilian climate scientists say that the Amazon rainforest which is so crucial to the Earth's climate system is coming under threat from cleaner air.The new study identifies a link between reducing sulphur dioxide emissions from burning coal and increasing sea surface temperatures in the tropical north Atlantic, resulting in a heightened risk of drought in the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon rainforest contains about one tenth of the total carbon stored in land ecosystems and recycles a large fraction of the rainfall that falls upon it. So any major change to its vegetation, brought about by events like deforestation or drought, has an impact on the global climate system. Dr Matthew Collins of the Met Office Hadley Centre stated that, "The rainforest is under many pressures. Direct deforestation is the most obvious immediate threat, but climate change is also a big issue for Amazonia. We have to deal with both if we want to safeguard the forest." Sulphate aerosol particles arising from the burning of coal in power stations in the 1970s and 1980s have partially reduced global warming by reflecting sunlight and making clouds brighter. This pollution has been predominantly in the northern hemisphere and has acted to limit warming in the tropical north Atlantic, keeping the Amazon wetter than it would otherwise be. Chris Huntingford of CEH, another of the co-authors, explains: "Reduced sulphur emissions in North America and Europe will see tropical rain-bands move northwards as the north Atlantic warms, resulting in a sharp increase in the risk of Amazonian drought." Lead author Professor Peter Cox of the University of Exeter sums-up the consequences of the study: "These findings are another reminder of the complex nature of environmental change. To improve air quality and safeguard public health, we must continue to reduce aerosol pollution, but our study suggests that this needs to be accompanied by urgent reductions in carbon dioxide emissions to minimize the risk of Amazon forest dieback." This information is very interesting; I’m shocked that cleaner air could potentially harm the trees. In my opinion I think we could try a little harder to reduce pollution to help the environments all over the world. My solution for this problem is to find a chemical balance for the amazon so we can have clean air but also keep the amazon hydrated. The problem to this solution is finding the difference between helping and harning the Amazon.   

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080507133259.htm