Unforeseen Geoengineering Test Fuels Record Ocean Warmth

Scientists have discovered that the reduction in ship tracks, caused by a global standard requiring a decrease in fuel sulfur content, has inadvertently exacerbated global warming. Ship tracks, which are lines of aerosol clouds produced by cargo ships, have a cooling effect on the Earth by reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere. The reduction in ship tracks due to the sulfur regulation has resulted in a warming effect on the planet. However, this unintended consequence may provide insights for future geo-engineering efforts to combat climate change, such as marine cloud brightening.