Climate change reports often get facts wrong

From the Oxford Mail: 

Friday 4 December 2015 / Letters

THE terrible smogs in China are the result of vehicle exhaust particulate pollution and not carbon dioxide emissions as was incorrectly stated by a Channel 4 science newscaster.
Carbon dioxide on its own is a colourless and clear, non toxic gas. I hear a lot of bad science being spouted on the TV news in the wake of the climate talks.
Furthermore, studies have proved that air pollution actually prevents sunlight from reaching us and therefore smogs cool the ambient temperature rather than raise the temperature.
This has been demonstrated repeatedly by volcanic eruptions that emit airborne particulate aerosol matter.
The volcanic eruptions of Mount Pinatubo and Tambora resulted in lower temperatures worldwide – the years without a summer.
Smogs and pollution kill people but should not be confused with pure carbon dioxide emissions since carbon dioxide is both good for plants and ocean life.
Air pollution has been shown to lower rather than raise temperatures.
For example after the 9/11 air attacks all planes were grounded in New York.
Because the skies were clear of hazy aircraft contrails, the sunlight was able to reach unfiltered and the measured temperatures shot up in New York.

I wish the TV science newscasters would try to get their facts right.
The Chinese smogs will lower ambient temperatures and result in respiratory deaths but will not raise global temperatures.

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I am all for clean energy but, if anything, clearer non-polluted skies will lead to greater sunlight radiation reaching Earth and therefore warmer temperatures and boosted crop production.
SUSAN THOMAS
Magdalen Road
Oxford