Simultaneously Mitigating Near-Term Climate Change and Improving Human Health and Food Security

2012/01/12 by Drew Shindell, Johan Kuylenstierna, E. Vignati +21 · 22 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Engineering · Environmental Science · #Air Quality and Health Impacts #Atmospheric chemistry and aerosols #Vehicle emissions and performance

paper · doi:10.1126/science.1210026

openalex publication_date 2012/01/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

Tropospheric ozone and black carbon (BC) contribute to both degraded air quality and global warming. We considered ~400 emission control measures to reduce these pollutants by using current technology and experience. We identified 14 measures targeting methane and BC emissions that reduce projected global mean warming ~0.5°C by 2050. This strategy avoids 0.7 to 4.7 million annual premature deaths from outdoor air pollution and increases annual crop yields by 30 to 135 million metric tons due to ozone reductions in 2030 and beyond. Benefits of methane emissions reductions are valued at 700 to 5000 per metric ton, which is well above typical marginal abatement costs (less than 250). The selected controls target different sources and influence climate on shorter time scales than those of carbon dioxide-reduction measures. Implementing both substantially reduces the risks of crossing the 2°C threshold.

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• A review on co-benefits of mass public transportation in climate change mitigation
• Air quality co-benefits for human health and agriculture counterbalance costs to meet Paris Agreement pledges
• Photobioreactor cultivation strategies for microalgae and cyanobacteria
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• Near-term Climate Change: Projections and Predictability
• David Fowler (physicist) [wikipedia]
• Drew Shindell [wikipedia]
• Martin Williams (environmental scientist) [wikipedia]