Headline:
Soot, Ozone and Methane effects on climate, health and economy are underestimated
Short-lived climate-forcing pollutants (SLCPs), especially particulate matter and ozone, were recognized decades ago as health hazards, and only recently came into broader public discussion with regard to climate change. The IASS cluster Sustainable Interactions with the Atmosphere (SIWA), together with the Verband Rußfrei fürs Klima, held an SLCP workshop on September 27th as discussion venue for stakeholders from the research, politics and private business sectors on the role that SLCPs play in the global temperature change. Experts presented sources, causes and effects of emissions, and possible approaches and solutions were exchanged during the panel discussion.
While soot, ozone and methane are responsible for about one-third of human-caused climate change, workshop contributors emphasized unanimously that reducing them cannot substitute for reducing carbon dioxide. Latest model simulations suggest that even when delaying drastic carbon-dioxide mitigation measures by about two decades while implementing full SLCP reduction schemes, the 2° C climate target would be surpassed well before the end of this century. For that reason, it is crucial to reduce the long (carbon dioxide) and short-lived climate-forcers simultaneously.
SLCPs have contributed considerably to the fast increase of global temperatures in the last few decades, potentially resulting in irreversible consequences that humans could not adapt to quickly enough without enormous loss. Because SLCPs remain in the atmosphere for relatively short time-spans, reducing them can result in positive effects quickly and at local scale.
In 2010, particulate matter, including soot, was responsible for the reduction in the average life expectancy in Germany by 7.5 months, and caused many respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, soot was classified as a carcinogenic by the World Health Organization this year.
Reduction of SLCPs was seen by workshop participants to be feasible in street, rail and ship technologies. Cars and public transportation vehicles can be easily retrofitted to reduce emission, and increased use of e.g. bicycles will also reduce carbon dioxide emission. Trains can be outfitted with soot filters. Technologies for emission-cleaning, including particle filters, exist for ships. Fireplaces, a major source of soot from private households in Europe, also require filtering systems or a change to pellet-oven technology . Present measures for wood fire in Germany are not sufficient for reducing soot emission.
In the international context, Germany's role should be one of setting an example for other countries. While workshop participants were critical towards the country's efforts regarding SLCP reduction, it was recognized that Germany possesses a great know-how in technological solutions and in process knowledge, from identifying sources to inclusion of interest groups and creating parameters for implementation, up to minimization of SLCP effects. Because SLCP awareness and first initiatives are recent, the workshop recognized the importance of cautious implementation of reduction measures, particularly in regard to the present developments of the UNFCCC climate negotiations. Germany should responsibly choose measures, nationally and globally, that will not compete with existing or endeavored carbon dioxide measures.
More informational material from the workshop can be found here:
- For a written workshop summary click here.
- For the slides and video recordings of each presenter click here (please note that these documents are in German only):
Welcome: Jürgen Resch, DUH (video)
Opening speech: Prof. Dr. Klaus Töpfer (video)
The role of SLCPs in climate change: PD Dr. Mark Lawrence (slides, video)
Scenarios and mitigation measures: Dr. Markus Amann (slides, video)
Technologies and solutions: Dr. Axel Friedrich (slides, video)
Panel discussion with PD Dr. Mark Lawrence, Dr. Markus Amann, Dr. Axel Friedrich, Dr. Valerie Wilms (video)