00:00Shipping fuel regulations aimed at cutting pollution may inadvertently be harming the
00:07environment. According to a recent study, the policies meant to clean up the industry
00:13may have made the ocean warmer by reducing cloud cover. Researchers at the University
00:20of Maryland say the International Maritime Organization rules to tackle marine pollution
00:26forced shippers to cut their fuel sulfur content by 86% leading to lower sulfur dioxide emissions.
00:35Scientists say besides being a major pollutant, SO2 also forms aerosols that thicken and brighten
00:42clouds reflecting the sun's rays back into space. Climate scientists say the cooling effect in SO2
00:48is well understood and whilst some researchers are worried about the impact the reduction in
00:54SO2 could have on global temperatures, others believe the study may have exaggerated the impact
01:02of the IMO fuel policy.
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