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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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UNEP study: small number of measures targeting black carbon and tropospheric ozone could yield immediate climate benefits

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The climate change benefit is estimated for 2050 and human health and crop benefits are for 2030 and beyond. Black carbon and tropospheric ozone are harmful air pollutants that also contribute to climate change. Click to enlarge. Both near-term and long-term strategies are essential, the report concludes.

Ozone 218
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Fast action on black carbon, ozone and methane could help limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees C

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The climate change benefit is estimated for a given year (2050) and human health and crop benefits are. Fast action on pollutants such as black carbon, ground-level ozone and methane may help limit near term global temperature rise and significantly increase the chances of keeping temperature rise below 2 °C (3.6 °F)—and

Ozone 218
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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.]. Depletion of fossil energy resources [kg oil-eq.]. Deterioration of the ozone layer [kg CFC-11-eq.]. Depletion of fresh water reserves [m 3 ].

Mariner 435
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International study identifies 14 key measures to reduce methane and black carbon emissions; reduction in projected global mean warming of ~0.5 °C by 2050

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Circle areas are proportional to values for (A and B) climate change, (C and D) human health (values for population over age 30), and (E and F) agriculture. Methane is both a potent greenhouse gas and an important precursor to ground-level ozone. National benefits of the CH 4 plus BC measures versus the reference scenario.

Carbon 257
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Test of Planet-Cooling Scheme Could Start in 2022

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Up there, 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, ozone molecules absorb the sun’s ultraviolet light, protecting life far below. Even less is understood about the potential risks to people and the environment—could the particles deplete the ozone layer, for example, or significantly alter the weather? Research takes a long time.

Ozone 124
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California ARB moves forward with climate and air quality actions

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Approximately 70% of the reductions needed to meet the ozone standard in the South Coast in 2031 would come from existing or proposed regulatory actions. Reducing these pollutants can have a more immediate beneficial impact on climate change, and reduces harmful toxins, such as cancer-causing particulates, in California communities.

Climate 199