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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.

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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.

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PSI team develops web tool for consumers to compare environmental impact of passenger cars in detail

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The system will graph lifecycle impact for a range of specified powertrains, for a large number of impact categories: Climate change [kg CO 2 -eq.]. Deterioration of the ozone layer [kg CFC-11-eq.]. The top sample above shows climate change impact; the subsequent chart shows human toxicity.

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NASA GISS Study Finds That Methane Has an Elevated Warming Effect Due to Interactions With Aerosols

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Despite their limitations, GWPs are widely used for comparison among long-lived gases, forming the basis for worldwide political agreements on climate and carbon trading. Methane’s GWP may also change with time as air quality regulations alter the background state of tropospheric chemistry. Shindell et al. —Drew Shindell.

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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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However, these standards will not reduce CO 2 emissions, which is required to mitigate long-term climate change, the team notes. However, these standards will not reduce CO 2 emissions, which is required to mitigate long-term climate change, the team notes. In comparison, the Northern Hemisphere has warmed by about 0.3°C

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Field study finds soot particles absorb significantly less sunlight than predicted by models; climate models may be overestimating warming by BC

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Although viewed as a potential target in the global effort to reduce climate change, atmospheric black carbon particles absorb significantly less sunlight than scientists have predicted, according to a new study by an international team of researchers, published in the journal Science. Credit: Cappa et al. Click to enlarge.

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Study finds that environmental impact of corn-ethanol E85 is 23% to 33% higher than that of gasoline; environmental problem-shifting

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eutrophication; ET = ecological toxicity; FEC = fossil energy consumption; WU = water use; LO = land occupation; “The rest” includes acidification; smog formation; ozone layer depletion; and human health effects. This study highlighted the environmental impacts of corn ethanol in comparison with gasoline. GW = global warming; Eut.

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