23 August 2004
The earth could heat up more quickly as the cooling effect of pollution is reduced, Meinrat Andreae will tell a London conference on Monday.
He believes aerosols - tiny particles of pollution suspended in the air - help to cool the earth.
As these are expected to diminish in coming decades, global warming will happen faster.
The aerosols are caused by various forms of pollution including burning wood and coal.
'Climate protection'
Their exact influence on the climate under is debate but it is thought they have an overall cooling effect as they reflect sunlight away from the earth.
The scientist is to tell the major international air pollution conference this "climate protection" is likely to diminish in the future.
He believes scientists may have underestimated greenhouse gases' effect on the climate because of the particles' cooling effect.
Predictions of the rise in global temperatures may therefore have to be revised upwards.
