Attempting to slow the impact of global warming requires rapid and far-reaching transitions to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. By 2030, global net human-caused emissions would need to decline by 45 percent from 2010 levels and be at zero by 2050. Any remaining emissions would need to be balanced by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
Measurement of global aerosols
To slow the effects of global warming, we must understand the composition of global aerosols. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) measurements from space show that aerosols are largely inhomogeneous, with the highest values occurring in tropical areas of Africa and Asia. However, the composition of aerosols in different regions varies considerably, and this spatial variability is exacerbated by human activities. Although in situ observations have increased our understanding of global aerosols, there are still large uncertainties regarding the chemical composition of aerosols, and the contribution of man-made aerosols to the global AOD.
However, this is not an impossible task. Many countries have already taken steps to reduce their emissions of harmful aerosols, including the United States. The implementation of the Clean Air Act in the United States, for example, has resulted in sharp reductions in air pollution and likely saved millions of lives. In addition, removing aerosols from the atmosphere is relatively simple and proven, and it is also a far easier solution than massively reducing CO2 emissions.
The problem with using these methods is that they are costly and not based on scientific evidence. For example, it takes years to study the effects of global aerosols on the climate. One study from 2009 looked at 50 years of data and found that light rains decreased in most areas of eastern China. The researchers also observed that water droplets in polluted skies were 50 percent smaller than those in pristine skies. This makes the formation of rain clouds difficult. However, the study also points out that light rains are beneficial for agriculture.
Aerosols can reduce the impact of global warming by blocking a large portion of greenhouse gases. However, their effect is minor and is still relatively small in comparison to the rapid rise in temperatures over the last century. The scientists warn that climate change will continue to get worse before it gets better.
Alternatives to curbing CO2 emissions
Alternatives to curbing CO2 emissions to reduce global warming include limiting fuel use and changing the way cities are built. Some cities have been successful in doing so, including Stockholm. In addition to smart growth, carpooling can help people reduce their CO2 emissions by 15 tons a year. Telecommuting can have a positive impact as well, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 1.7 tons per household per year. More research is needed to determine the full impact of telecommuting on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
Another option is developing new fuels and technologies. Hydrogen fuel cells, which produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, are an example of a green fuel. This technology can also be used to produce a variety of industrial products, such as cement, aluminum, and iron.
Another option for companies to reduce CO2 emissions is to purchase carbon offsets. Many companies have pledged to reduce or even eliminate their emissions. This has created a multi-billion-dollar industry. Buying carbon offsets can help companies meet their goal of zero emissions. By purchasing carbon offsets, companies can offset their emissions without making huge changes to their industrial processes.
Reducing short-lived climate pollutants
Attempts to slow the effect of global warming by limiting emissions of short-lived climate pollutants have a number of advantages over other mitigation options. First of all, such measures have a lower chance of being derailed by selfish logic. Second, delaying the impact of climate change makes adaptation easier and more manageable. Third, reducing short-lived climate pollutants is less expensive than dealing with imminent impacts.
Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) are air pollutants that harm human health and the health of plants and animals. Besides the health risk, these pollutants also contribute to increased global temperatures. For example, a United Nations report suggests that specific reductions of methane and black carbon could prevent 2.4 million premature deaths by 2030.
Short-lived climate pollutants include black carbon, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and tropospheric ozone. These pollutants are primarily produced by the burning of fossil fuels. Other sources of short-lived climate pollutants include agricultural open burning and wildfires.
Unfortunately, diplomatic efforts have failed to reduce global emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. Yet even if carbon dioxide controls were implemented, they would still not be sufficient to slow the effects of climate change. This is because the costs and benefits of reducing short-lived climate pollutants are mismatched, both in time and geography. Besides, it is not clear which country will pay the biggest price for implementing carbon dioxide controls.
While this is a crucial step towards slowing climate change, reducing emissions of other climate pollutants is also critical. Almost half of the global warming is caused by these pollutants, which are short-lived and easy to remove.
Investing in cleaner energy
There are several reasons to invest in cleaner energy, including the need to slow the pace of climate disruption. Investing in cleaner energy has a clear economic benefit. For one, it cuts consumer energy costs by $500 per household per year. Investing in clean energy also protects the economy from volatile fossil fuel markets.
Investing in cleaner energy also creates jobs. The IEA estimates that by 2030, net-zero emissions could generate more than ten million new jobs in the energy sector. By contrast, if we continue to burn fossil fuels, we would lose up to five million jobs. Clean energy would generate 14 million new jobs. That’s a net gain of 9 million jobs.
Investing in cleaner energy is one of the best ways to protect our economy against geopolitical changes. Even if the prices of oil and other fossil fuels fall, decarbonization can protect our economy from geopolitical shocks. This makes investments in cleaner energy much more attractive.
The Paris Agreement signed by 195 countries in 2015 was the first universal global climate deal. The goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep global temperature rise below two degrees Celsius. This will require major changes in how we produce and consume energy. By requiring major emitters to reduce their emissions, we can reduce the global average temperature.
Investing in renewable energy sources will help slow the pace of global warming. With the advent of new clean energy technologies, the cost of renewables has come down considerably. In the past five years alone, the cost of solar panels has dropped by as much as 75 percent. Currently, renewable energy generation technology has accounted for half of all new power capacity installed globally since 2011.
Changing lifestyles
Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some of these changes include shifting to renewable electricity, reducing food waste, and living car-free. Others include changing diets and buying local produce. Increasing energy efficiency and commuting by public transportation are also ways to reduce the carbon footprint of a person.
While individual behavior changes can help slow the effects of global warming, the biggest impact will be felt in our cities, towns, and farms. In fact, the EPA estimates that one out of every 100 U.S. homes could be retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures and appliances. This could prevent 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.
While there are numerous ways to reduce carbon emissions, the mitigation potential of each lifestyle change option is different in each country. Several factors determine the effectiveness of the different lifestyle change options, including: physical consumption patterns, grid electricity mix, consumer habits, and infrastructure. A population growth rate is a major factor in carbon emissions.
Individual action can have a huge impact on the climate, and can even be more powerful than collective action by governments and companies. For example, installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle, or adopting a climate-friendly diet can influence many other people to take similar actions.
While this isn’t likely to happen quickly, there are several ways to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The UN has published a report detailing the different ways to change our lifestyles to reduce the impact of global warming. For the next century, global emissions of greenhouse gases must decline by at least 43 percent. By that time, global temperatures will stabilize at about 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
