Global dimming

An often overlooked effect on global climate change is that of global dimming. This phenomenon is characterized by a reduction of radiance on the earth's surface. While the primary cause of this effect is disputed, it means a lot to those researching global warming. It is hypothesized that aerosols and other pollutants in the air form a sort of protective layer around the earth, shielding it from the sun, although this effect is more pronounced in some areas than others.
What bothers me is how little this effect has been mentioned by those championing the fight against global climate change. All too often, someone will claim that it's still pretty a pretty tolerable temperature on our planet, and they don't remember it being very different from when they were younger. Al Gore managed to put an entire segment in his movie about his childhood but failed to mention that there may be a reason why global warming has been kept in check. Since aerosols and pollutants destroy the parts of the atmosphere that protect us from the sun (possibly permanently), and simultaneously produce a temporary shield from the heat, it follows that when this pollution shield can no longer protect us, global warming will (likely quite suddenly) become an obvious concern.
The role of pollutants in shielding us from the sun is well known enough for several experts to suggest a massive synchronized release of pollutants as an emergency contingency plan for when the planet draws near an uninhabitable state. I think that if the awareness of this effect could be more widespread, then public understanding of this dire state may change.