Ozone may be heating the planet more than we realise

Ozone may be weakening one of the Earth’s most important cooling mechanisms, making it a more significant greenhouse gas than previously thought, research has found. A new study conducted at Reading University, has revealed that changes to ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere were responsible for almost a third of the warming seen in ocean waters bordering Antarctica in the second half of the 20th century. The deep and rapid warming in the Southern Ocean affects its role as one of the main regions for soaking up excess heat as the planet warms. The majority of this warming was the result of ozone increases in the lower atmosphere. Ozone – one of the main components of smog – is already hazardous as a pollutant, but the research shows it may also play a significant role in driving climate change in the coming years. Dr Michaela Hegglin, an Associate Professor in atmospheric chemistry and one of the study’s authors, said: “Ozone close to Earth’s surface is harmful to people and the environment, but this study reveals it also has a big impact on the ocean’s ability to absorb excess heat from the atmosphere. “These findings are an eye-opener and hammer home the importance of regulating air pollution to prevent increased ozone levels and global temperatures rising further still.”



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