Scientists Identify Another Contributor to Global Warming—and It’s Everywhere

Image: Microplastic particles in atmospheric dust. Image credit: Janice Brahney. Article by Ellyn Lapointe. Gizmodo – May 4, 2026. Research article: Nature Climate Change.

Researchers found that airborne microplastics trap nearly one-fifth as much heat as black carbon.

Microplastics have become a ubiquitous part of our lives, infiltrating the soil, water, and even our bodies. They’re in the air too, and a new study suggests they’re contributing to the heating of the planet. The findings, published Monday in Nature Climate Change, show that colored micro- and nanoplastics suspended in the atmosphere may contribute to global warming at a level equal to 16% of that caused by black carbon, or soot. […]

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