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Why should this “superpollutant” worry us at least as much as CO2?

The fight against CO emissions2 Harmful to our climate (more or less). But other pollutants contribute to the warming of our planet. And worrying about it will make it possible to limit the increase in temperature and achieve great results in terms of public health.

When it comes to the fight against anthropogenic global warming, it’s usually a question, at least in the minds of the general public, of mitigation. BroadcastingBroadcasting Carbon dioxide (CO2). Because the media quickly took this shortcut. The greenhouse gas CO is equivalent.2. But the scientific reality is completely different. Because CO2 In the end is not responsible “he” About 55% increase in temperature. The remaining 45 percent is due to other greenhouse gases or aerosols that researchers like to call superpollutants.

An invisible threat is gathering in the atmosphere: an underestimated gas is reaching levels not seen in 800,000 years!

One of them started making a name for himself in the media. Methane (CH4). And deservedly so, as it is the second largest contributor to anthropogenic global warming. Its presence in our atmosphere, however, is much less important than that of CO.2literally exploded, when it reached 1,650 parts per billion (PPMPPM) in 1985, it has now increased to about 1,950 ppm. Fewer measures are still aimed at reducing these emissions, most of which come from livestock farming and rice production, but also from the extraction, storage and distribution of fossil fuels – particularly lakes, which Filling can be easy.

Carbon black, a major pollutant among others

However, studies show that implementing measures targeting emissions of these extreme pollutants could prevent up to four times more warming by 2050 than measures focusing on CO.2. SeriesSeries Best of all, limiting the presence of these greenhouse gases and aerosols in our atmosphere could prevent nearly 2.4 million deaths from pollution each year.

Pollution is responsible for one in eight deaths in Europe.

i The matterThe matterwhat scientists call black carbon – but more commonly known as soot – is the most harmful. It is one of the components of air pollution. Fine particlesFine particles (PM2.5). Researchers say it is also responsible for premature death in adults with heart or lung diseases.AccidentsAccidents cerebrovascular, Heart attacksHeart attacks or even developmental problems in infants. Studies attribute it to 4 to 8 million deaths worldwide each year.

Produced by Carbon Black CombustionCombustion Incomplete BoisBoisOf BiofuelsBiofuels And FuelFuel FossilsFossils. And from a point of view ClimateClimateits effect is 1,500 times greater than that of CO.2. Because it reduces the reflectivity of the snow on which it accumulates, for example. As a result, an acceleration of ice melting.

Take steps to limit emissions of super pollutants.

Other superpollutants includeTropospheric ozoneTropospheric ozone (O3) – which have particular health impacts -, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – which can be 15,000 times warmer than CO.2 Over 100 years – or even more Nitrous oxideNitrous oxide (N2O) – which accounts for about 6% of long-term warming. All these are more and more present in our atmosphere.

Their effects, both on the climate and directly on human health, lead researchers to encourage political decision-makers to also pursue ways to reduce emissions of these superpollutants. Especially since the steps taken in this direction will produce great results in the short term.

Already, at COP26 in Glasgow (Scotland) in 2021, 158 countries and the European Union signed a global pledge to limit methane emissions. The Global Methane Covenant. The intentions are good. The stated goal: a reduction of at least 30% from 2030 to 2020 levels. But in fact, emissions of CH4 During the same period, it has taken the path of growth from 5 to 13 percent.

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