Simultaneously Mitigating Near-Term Climate Change and Improving Human Health and Food Security

Tropospheric ozone and black carbon (BC) contribute to both degraded air quality and global warming. We considered ~400 emission control measures to reduce these pollutants by using current technology and experience. We identified 14 measures targeting methane and BC emissions that reduce projected global mean warming ~0.5°C by 2050. This strategy avoids 0.7 to 4.7 million annual premature deaths from outdoor air pollution and increases annual crop yields by 30 to 135 million metric tons due to ozone reductions in 2030 and beyond. Benefits of methane emissions reductions are valued at $700 to $5000 per metric ton, which is well above typical marginal abatement costs (less than $250). The selected controls target different sources and influence climate on shorter time scales than those of carbon dioxide–reduction measures. Implementing both substantially reduces the risks of crossing the 2°C threshold.

SHINDELL D.;  KUYLENSTIERNA Johan C. I.;  VIGNATI Elisabetta;  VAN DINGENEN Rita;  AMMANN Markus;  KLIMONT Z.;  ANENBERG S.;  MULLER Nicholas Z.;  JANSSENS-MAENHOUT Greet;  RAES Frank;  SCHWARTZ Joel;  FALUVEGI G.;  POZZOLI Luca;  KUPIAINEN Kaarle;  HOGLUND-ISAKSSON Lena;  EMBERSON Lisa;  STREETS David;  RAMANATHAN V;  HICKS Kevin;  OANH Kim;  MILLY George;  WILLIAMS Martin;  DEMKINE Volodymyr;  FOWLER D.; 

2012-01-20

AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE

JRC65909

0036-8075,   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC65909,   

10.1126/science.1210026,