Climate’s ‘Catch-22’: Cutting pollution heats up the planet
Climate's 'Catch-22': Cutting pollution heats up the planet Reuters
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Climate’s ‘Catch-22’: Cutting pollution heats up the planet
Nov 2 (Reuters) – Air pollution, a global scourge that kills millions of people a year, is shielding us from the full force of the sun. Getting rid of it will accelerate climate change.
The Impact of Air Pollution on Climate Change
According to six leading climate experts, scientists studying China’s decade-long “war on pollution” have concluded that air pollution, primarily caused by sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from coal plants, is actually reducing the impact of climate change. The drive to reduce pollution has resulted in a significant decrease in SO2 emissions and has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. However, the removal of this air pollution has led to a rise in average temperatures in China, triggering more intense heatwaves. This phenomenon, known as “unmasking,” has revealed that air pollution was actually shielding the country from the full effects of the sun’s radiation.
The Impact on Global Warming
The increase in temperatures caused by the removal of air pollution has been more significant in some industrial Chinese cities over the past decade than the warming caused by greenhouse gases themselves. The experts warn that other highly polluted regions, such as India and the Middle East, would experience similar temperature increases if they were to follow China’s lead in reducing sulphur dioxide emissions. They also caution that efforts to improve air quality could inadvertently push the world into catastrophic warming scenarios and irreversible impacts.
The Link Between Sulphur Dioxide and Warming
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted the link between reducing sulphur dioxide emissions and global warming. In a 2021 report, the IPCC stated that without the solar shield provided by SO2 pollution, global average temperatures would have already risen by 1.6 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. This exceeds the world’s goal of limiting warming to 1.5C, beyond which irreversible and catastrophic changes to the climate are predicted.
The Impact on China
China’s efforts to reduce air pollution began in 2012 when President Xi Jinping pledged to tackle the issue. The government implemented various measures, including switching to lower-sulphur coal, shutting down inefficient factories, and tightening vehicle fuel standards. These efforts resulted in a significant decrease in SO2 emissions, but also led to a rise in average temperatures in the country. Since 2014, China has experienced an increase of more than 0.7 degrees Celsius compared to the 2001-2010 period. This rise in temperatures is attributed to the unmasking of pollution.
The Impact on India and the Middle East
The effects of sulphur unmasking are most pronounced in developing countries like India and the Middle East, where air pollution is still on the rise. If these regions were to improve their air quality by transitioning to green energy sources, they would also lose the protective shield of sulphates. Scientists warn that this could lead to a rapid increase in temperatures and have catastrophic consequences.
Offsetting with Methane?
As the implications of pollution unmasking become more apparent, experts are exploring methods to counter the associated warming. One proposal is to curb methane emissions, as methane has a shorter lifespan in the atmosphere compared to carbon dioxide. Reducing methane emissions is seen as a quick way to mitigate global temperatures. However, many countries have yet to take significant action in reducing methane emissions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: reuters.com
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