- A new study looks at pollution and warming.
- The study finds pollution is not the main cause.
- The planet is gaining heat now.
- In the north, air has become cleaner.
- Cleaner air lets more sun reach the ground.
- In the south, fires and a volcano made more particles.
- Those particles make clouds brighter and reflect sunlight.
- The north and south changes go in opposite ways.
- They mostly cancel out and do little worldwide.
Difficult words
- pollution — dirty air or water that harms nature
- warming — a rise in the planet's average temperature
- particle — a very small piece of solid or liquidparticles
- reflect — to send light or heat back away
- volcano — a mountain that can send out lava
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Is the air clean where you live?
- Do you see many clouds near your home?
- Have you ever seen a volcano?
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