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NASA-led study identifies unprecedented depletion of stratospheric ozone layer above Arctic

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A NASA-led study has documented an unprecedented depletion of Earth’s protective ozone layer above the Arctic last winter and spring caused by an unusually prolonged period of extremely low temperatures in the stratosphere. The same ozone-loss processes occur each winter in the Arctic.

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New international Climate and Clean Air Coalition to focus on reduction of short-lived climate pollutants

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Global benefits from full implementation of measures for reduction of short-lived climate pollutants in 2030 compared to the reference scenario. The climate change benefit is estimated for a given year (2050) and human health and crop benefits are. for 2030 and beyond. Source: UNEP. Click to enlarge. Earlier post.).

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US, China, and G-20 agree to work to global phase down of HFCs

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The US reached separate agreements with the G-20 and with China to address the rapid growth in the use and release of climate-damaging hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Left unabated, HFC emissions could grow to nearly 20% of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, a serious climate mitigation concern.

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United States and China agree to work together on phasing down HFCs

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While they do not deplete the ozone layer, many are highly potent greenhouse gases. Their use is growing rapidly as replacements for ozone-depleting substances that are being phased out under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

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Low-lying and other vulnerable countries calling for fast action on non-CO2 global warming pollutants

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Among the non-CO 2 pollutants are hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), methane, tropospheric ozone, and black carbon soot. The next round of UN climate negotiations begins in Cancun today. ” The authors go on to say that reducing the non-CO 2 pollutants can delay additional climate warming by several decades.

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UMD-led study finds China’s SO2 emissions down 75% since 2007, India’s up 50%; India may now be the top SO2 emitter

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Two maps compare total annual sulfur dioxide amounts for India and China during 2005 (left) and 2016 based on Ozone Monitoring Instrument measurements. Illustration: Chris McLinden, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Purple depicts the highest concentrations while white depicts the lowest. Click to enlarge.

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Indo-US task force to study HFC phase-down

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HFCs are chemicals are potential substitutes for ozone-depleting and climate-warming CFCs and HCFCs currently being phased out under the Montreal Protocol treaty to protect the ozone layer. The United States, Mexico, and Canada also proposed a similar amendment.