Does pollution cause sunsets?

No, pollution does not directly cause sunsets. Sunsets are a natural phenomenon that occurs as a result of the Earth's rotation and the way sunlight interacts with the atmosphere. However, pollution can affect the appearance of sunsets by altering the composition of the atmosphere. When there is pollution in the air, such as from industrial emissions or vehicle exhaust, it can lead to the presence of particulate matter and pollutants in the atmosphere. These particles can scatter and absorb sunlight, affecting the way light is transmitted through the atmosphere. As a result, pollution can contribute to hazy or smoggy conditions, which can diminish the clarity and vividness of sunsets. In areas with high levels of pollution, the particles in the air can scatter shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue and green, more than longer wavelengths like red and orange. This scattering of shorter wavelengths can give sunsets a more reddish or orange hue. So while pollution doesn't directly cause sunsets, it can influence their appearance by altering the scattering and absorption of light in the atmosphere.