The Dark Side Of Human Progress: Pollution And Global Warming

Air pollution and global warming are two sides of the same coin. Natural phenomena such as erupting volcanoes, earthquakes, dust storms and meteorites smashing into the Earth’s crust can cause climate change and air pollution. However, humans have also been contributing to air pollution and global warming through our resource-intensive lifestyles. We’re producing and consuming more than ever before, and we’re generating more greenhouse gases as a result, as well as air pollutants in the form of chemicals and particulate matter, including “black carbon”.

Black carbon

The term "black carbon" was coined by Serbian physicist Tihomir Novakov in the 1970s. Soot, or black carbon, was the first pollutant to be recognized as having a significant environmental impact, yet it was one of the last to be studied by the contemporary atmospheric research community.

Methane

Reducing methane emissions is crucial in the fight against climate change. Strategies to reduce emissions include improving waste management practices, such as capturing landfill gas for energy production or treating waste to reduce methane production. In agriculture, improved livestock management practices and alternative feeding strategies can help reduce methane emissions from ruminant animals. Additionally, reducing leaks and improving processes in the fossil fuel industry can significantly reduce methane emissions.

Overall, methane is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change. Its potent warming potential and relatively short lifespan make it a critical target for emissions reduction strategies. By addressing methane emissions, we can not only improve air quality and human health but also make substantial progress in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

CFC-11

The Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) measures CFC-11 in the lower atmosphere (troposphere) at stations around the world. The Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species (HATS) group has also measured CFC-11 since 1977.

Greenhouse gases

Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 84 times greater than that of CO2. It is released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as from livestock and other agricultural activities, and waste in landfills.

Black carbon, a component of fine particulate matter, is another significant contributor to global warming. It is released from diesel engines, the burning of biomass, and cookstoves. Black carbon warms the Earth's atmosphere by absorbing sunlight, accelerating the melting of snow and ice.

CFC-11, an industrial gas used illegally in insulation material, is also a contributor to global warming. It was recently discovered that emissions of CFC-11 were increasing, despite a global agreement to phase out its use under the Montreal Protocol.

To mitigate the impacts of greenhouse gases and global warming, urgent action is needed to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. This includes interventions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants, such as methane and black carbon, which can deliver dual benefits of improved air quality and health, as well as mitigating climate change.

Diesel engines

In addition to black carbon, diesel engines also emit other harmful pollutants such as methane and ozone precursors. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is 80-84 times more powerful than CO2 over a 20-year period. It is a precursor to ground-level ozone, which is highly toxic and kills about a million people each year.

The burning of fossil fuels, such as diesel, is among the most toxic types of particulate matter. Diesel-fuelled vehicle emissions are a major concern for public health and the environment. Urgent action is needed to reduce SLCP emissions and mitigate climate change.

Frequently asked questions