Analyzing Clouds and Climate Change: Clouds are an essential component of the climate; they stabilize Earth’s temperature, by preserving the planet’s heat like a blanket and blocking excess solar radiation. But with prolonged accumulation of atmospheric CO2, the planet overheats, leading to dramatic effects, including massive wildfires –which release particles called “biomass aerosols.” Those particles seed clouds that affect the climate. Daniel Cziczo, Ph.D., (Purdue University) explains how these clouds form and why the excess of biomass particles concern climate scientists.