Scientists in Spain have released a study that reveals an oceanic sulfur named methanethiol reflects sunlight and cools the planet much more effectively than previously understood by scientists.

It has been widely recognized that oceans absorb and redistribute the sun’s heat, but there’s more to the story. Researchers involved in the manuscript published late last month in Science Advances revealed that oceans, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere, release gases known as marine sulfur. One of these gases, methanethiol, affects the climate in ways that had previously been overlooked.

According to a press release issued by the University of East Anglia (UEA), tiny plankton living on the ocean’s surface generate sulfur as a gas, specifically dimethyl sulfide, which, when released into the atmosphere, oxidizes and forms tiny particles known as aerosols.

A summary of the research points out (emphasis mine):

It has not been detected before because it is extremely hard to measure. Additionally, much research has been done on warmer oceans, while polar oceans are the emission hotspots. Microscopic plankton living on the seas’ surfaces emit a type of sulfur gas known as dimethyl sulphide. This gas is the one responsible for the stinky smell in shellfish.

Once sulfur gas reaches the atmosphere, it oxidizes and produces small particles called aerosols. These aerosols reflect solar radiation back into space, lowering the heat on Earth.

A scientist with East Anglia’s Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Dr. Charel Wohl said (emphasis mine):

This is the climatic element with the greatest cooling capacity, but also the least understood. We knew methanethiol was coming out of the ocean, but we had no idea about how much and where. We also did not know it had such an impact on climate.

Not surprisingly, the mainstream media has ignored or underreported this story.

University of East Anglia’s reputation precedes itself having been an institution known for spreading climate alarmism and, unfortunately, this time was no different in which, despite Spanish scientists findings concluding that all of the climate models predicting catastrophic global warming and increasing sea-levels were wrong, UEA’s press release still says the magnitude of the impact of human activity on the climate and that the planet will continue to warm if no action is taken.

Simultaneously, climate scientists must acknowledge that there are still gaps in our understanding of the many factors driving fluctuations in the Earth’s climate. Though easier said than done, policy and lawmakers should also be cautious rather than eagerly implement life-altering policies citing research linking climate change to human activity. Policies based on an incomplete and evolving understanding of the climate, especially when adopted without consideration of their impact on ordinary people that involves risks leading to disastrous outcomes.

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