Vicious Cycle: How 2 Billion Tons of Sand and Dust Are goosing Global Warming

Around two billion tons of sand and dust are entering the atmosphere annually, driven largely by drought conditions worldwide. And high winds can carry this dust up to 5,000 miles, meaning sandstorms from places like the Sahara can impact areas as far away as New York City. This growing issue not only decreases air quality but also exacerbates global warming, and as drought becomes more prevalent, the cycle of dust contributing to global warming — and vice versa — will likely worsen, creating a continuous feedback loop of environmental damage.