A new scientific paper co-authored by Dr Chirag Dhara, Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies has been published in Environmental Research Letters (ERL). This was in collaboration with researchers from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune and the University of Reading, UK.
Titled Future intensification of Northern Hemisphere monsoons due to declining remote aerosol pollution, the study reveals that reducing air pollution in the Northern Hemisphere’s industrialised continents could have a significant and far-reaching impact on future monsoon rainfall. The research finds that aerosols from North American and Eurasian continents play a substantial role in shaping monsoon precipitation, and that a drastic decrease in these pollutants will likely intensify summer monsoons in West Africa, North America, and South Asia. The study addresses a critical challenge in climate science. While it is known that air pollution from human activities, particularly aerosols, has greatly influenced past monsoon patterns, predicting future changes has been difficult. This research provides crucial insights, suggesting that efforts to improve air quality could have unintended climatic consequences thousands of miles away.
Sooraj, K P, Chirag Dhara, D C Ayantika, Kalik Vishisth, K.M Sumit, Andy Turner, R. Krishnan (2025). “Future Intensification of Northern Hemisphere Monsoons Due to Declining Remote Aerosol Pollution.”Environmental Research Letters 20, no. 11.
