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TOAR shows present-day global ozone distribution and trends relevant to health; public database

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Ozone levels across much of North America and Europe dropped significantly between 2000 and 2014. People living in parts of southern Europe, South Korea and southern Japan and China also experienced more than 15 days a year of ozone levels above 70 ppb. Source: University of Leicester. Click to enlarge.

Ozone 255
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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). Ozone formation. Even short periods of unhealthy ozone levels can cause local death rates to rise. Scenario A2 and RCP 8.5.

Ozone 199
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UN report projects that increasing use of HFCs likely to have a significant climate impact by 2050; equivalent to current total annual emissions from transport

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The decrease in CO 2 equivalent emissions of ODSs (ozone-depleting substances: CFCs, halons, HCFCs, and others) may be offset by the projected increase in their non-ozone depleting substitutes (HFCs) (lines designated as HFC scenarios). W m -2 relative to 2000. Climate and the Ozone Layer. Source: UNEP. Click to enlarge.

Climate 287
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HEI: 95%+ of world’s population live in areas of unhealthy air

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Ozone, another important component of outdoor air pollution, whose levels are on the rise around the world, contributed to 234,000 deaths from chronic lung disease. Population-weighted seasonal average ozone concentrations in 2016. Worldwide exposure to PM 2.5 contributed to 4.1 State of Global Air 2018. In 2016 a total of 2.5

Pollution 218
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GISS study finds applying stricter non-CO2 vehicle emission standards worldwide would yield climate benefits in addition to major health and agricultural benefits

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million metric tons of avoided ozone-related yield losses of major food crops; $US0.6-2.4 Impacts of worldwide vehicle emissions in 2030 compared with 2000. The aggressive scenario assumes major emissions reductions in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East, the regions with the laxest emissions standards. Shindell et al.’s

Climate 231
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UN Review of Recent Climate Research Concludes That Impacts Of Climate Change Coming Faster Than Anticipated

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There is also growing concern among some scientists that thresholds or tipping points may now be reached in a matter of years or a few decades including significant changes to the Indian sub-continent’s monsoon, the Sahara and West Africa monsoons, and climate systems affecting a critical ecosystem like the Amazon rainforest.

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EPA report to Congress finds a strong scientific and technical foundation for mitigating black carbon emissions

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Most of this infrared radiation passes through the atmosphere, but some is absorbed by GHG molecules like CO 2 , methane, ozone and others. Based on recent emissions inventories (2000 for global and 2005 for the United States), the majority of global BC emissions come from Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Source: EPA.

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