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Studies find global COVID-19 lockdowns have significantly reduced PM2.5 and NO2 pollution, but ozone up

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Levels of two major air pollutants have been reduced significantly since lockdowns began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a secondary pollutant—ground-level ozone—has increased in China, according to new research. For comparison, columns over the same time periods are shown for 2019. —Guy Brasseur.

Ozone 291
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Study finds rising temperatures increase risk of unhealthy ozone levels absent sharp cuts in precursors

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Ozone pollution across the continental United States will become far more difficult to keep in check as temperatures rise, according to new work led by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Preliminary global mean CO 2 concentrations in February 2014 were 398.06 Ozone formation. Scenario A2 and RCP 8.5.

Ozone 199
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HEI: 95%+ of world’s population live in areas of unhealthy air

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Seven billion people, more than 95% of the world’s population, lived in areas exceeding the WHO Guideline for healthy air in 2016, according to a new global study. Comparison of 2016 annual average PM 2.5 State of Global Air 2018. Population-weighted seasonal average ozone concentrations in 2016. State of Global Air 2018.

Pollution 218
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Renault makes public its lifecycle study of Fluence ICE vs Fluence EV

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Renault’s comparison of the carbon footprint of EV and ICE vehicles over production, operation and end of life. The publication gives the opportunity for an “apples-to-apples” comparison between the environmental impacts of the two types of powertrains: same manufacturer, same model, same boundary conditions. Click to enlarge.

Li-ion 364
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Sponsors of SAE Study Conclude HFO-1234yf Can Be Used As Low-GWP Global Replacement Refrigerant in MAC Systems

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A two-year Cooperative Research Program conducted through SAE International to investigate the safety and environmental performance of the low-global-warming-potential (GWP) refrigerant HFO-1234yf for mobile air conditioning (MAC) systems has finished its study. In comparison, the current refrigerant, R-134a, has a GWP of 1,430.

Global 186
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NOAA greenhouse gas index continues climbing; 1.29 in 2010

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the combined heating effect of long-lived greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere by human activities has increased by 29% since 1990, the index year used as a baseline for comparison. It also includes several chemicals known to deplete Earth’s protective ozone layer, which are also active as greenhouse gases. in 2010—i.e.,

2010 199
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Toyota to pioneer use of biosynthetic rubber in engine and drive system hoses

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Since plants absorb CO 2 from the atmosphere during their lifespan, such bio-materials achieve an estimated 20% reduction in material lifecycle carbon emissions in comparison to conventional petroleum-based hydrin rubber. Jointly developed by Toyota, Zeon Corporation , and Sumitomo Riko Co., Vacuum sensing hose production process.

Toyota 150