Asia’s Great Brown Cloud

For decades, smog has blanketed South Asia every winter. The so-called Great Brown Cloud pollutes the air from southern China to India and Pakistan, causing thousands of deaths each year and affecting climate. At times, airline pilots even have a hard time navigating.

Until recently, scientists weren’t sure where the smog comes from. The burning of fossil fuels in cars and factories does contribute, but now research from Stockholm University has found that two-thirds of the cloud is made up of smoke from burning wood and dung – which many in the region use for cooking and heating.

Armed with this information, the researchers hope that public health officials, with cooperation from local governments, will be able persuade people to gradually switch to cleaner burning gas or solar powered stoves.

(Source: Reuters)

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