Green Daily

When it comes to environmental issues, including air pollution, it's not just about your own little piece of the world. What happens across the globe can have far-reaching effects. According to a new report by NOAA, pollution from Asia could create summer hot spots in the central U.S. and southern Europe by 2050.

Particle pollution, or soot, originating from Asian power plants, cooking and heating might only stay in the air for a few days locally, but its warming effect can last for decades globally. Particulate matter is a major consideration in daily air quality, but should also be considered for its impact on climate change, according to scientists. Soot is the black carbon particles that result from combustion; since soot particles are dark, they absorb heat.

According to this report, soot and sulfate pollution originating in Asia is likely to make the Midwest U.S. and southern parts of Europe hotter and drier, but is not necessarily expected to change Asia's climate.