A new study suggests that plants may be the answer to slowing down the process of global warming. The study revealed that as climates warm around the world, plants may respond by releasing more aerosol particles into the air.
According to Livescience.com, the researchers at the University of Helsinki found that the natural aerosols can fuel formation, which may help to offset the effects of a warming climate.
Most of the aerosol particles in Earth's atmosphere come from activities such as vehicle exhaust and volcanic eruptions but a small percentage of atmospheric aerosols come from living plants.
Plants release gases such as water vapor and oxygen, when combined with aerosols released from plants they form larger airborne particles that reflect sunlight and form cloud droplets.
To measure the cooling effect, researchers collected data from eleven sites around the world and measured aerosol particle concentrations as well as plant gases and temperatures.
In warmer temperatures, it was revealed that plants discharge more of the gases that stick to aerosol particles. This discharge can lead to cloud formation but in turn produce cooler temperatures.
Weathermen in the Rockies are predicting cooler temperatures as snow is expected to hit the cold weather region in the next couple of days.
Researchers believe that the impact of plant-based aerosol formation is an important element in making small adjustment in climate forecast models.
The plant study was published online in the journal of Nature Geoscience on April 28th.
