Reducing Aerosol Emissions is Key for Safeguarding Global Water Reserves
In a recent essay published in Foreign Affairs, renowned climate scientists Veerabhadran Ramanathan, David G. Victor, and Jessica Seddon have outlined a series of actions to combat the issue of global dimming and its associated drought conditions.
The authors propose three specific actions: 1. Targeted Reduction of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs): Focusing on cutting emissions of pollutants such as black carbon (soot) and certain organic aerosols that contribute to atmospheric dimming. 2. Implementing Clean Technology to Curb Emissions from Biomass Burning and Diesel: Promoting cleaner cooking stoves and switching from traditional biomass and coal-burning methods to cleaner fuels and technologies can greatly reduce aerosol emissions. 3. Improving Regulation and Monitoring of Aerosol Emissions: Strengthening policies and enforcement to regulate industries and vehicles can limit aerosol emissions that darken the atmosphere and reduce sunlight reaching the surface.
The essay emphasises the importance of international cooperation, particularly in South Asia, where dimming and drought strongly affect populations. Collaborative action on pollution control can mitigate these adverse effects more effectively.
Ramanathan's research over the past two decades has linked the dimming effect of aerosols to suppression of rainfall. Victor, an author of "Global Warming Gridlock," states that avoiding dimming requires big cuts in aerosol emissions and should be a high priority for policymakers.
Aerosols, which include pollutants such as diesel soot, black carbon, sulfates, and nitrates, reduce the solar energy that reaches the earth's surface. They have often been overlooked by policymakers, with the focus primarily on their cooling effect, not their impact on sunlight and rainfall.
The reduction of these pollutant aerosols is recommended for central roles in nations' environmental policies. With fast action, the world's leaders could reduce global dimming within an estimated 10-20 years. This would not only "dramatically limit the risk of droughts and irregular monsoons" but also help secure the world's water supply and bring about huge global health benefits.
The United Nations 2015 Paris Climate Conference marked a significant milestone with a landmark accord. However, the focus on carbon dioxide reduction should not overshadow the urgent need to address aerosol emissions. An atmosphere "dimmed by aerosols" will be drastically drier in key regions like sub-Saharan Africa, China, North America, and Asia.
Countries must find ways to cut emissions that cause climate change, and this includes making distinct pledges to cut aerosols. By addressing these short-lived pollutants specifically and rapidly, it is possible to reduce global dimming effects, restore rainfall patterns, and help alleviate drought conditions, complementing longer-term carbon dioxide reduction strategies.
- The essay highlights the need for nations to prioritize the reduction of aerosol emissions, particularly pollutants such as black carbon and diesel soot, in their environmental policies, as doing so could dramatically limit the risk of droughts and irregular monsoons, secure the world's water supply, and bring about significant global health benefits.
- Given the urgent need to address aerosol emissions, along with the focus on carbon dioxide reduction at the United Nations 2015 Paris Climate Conference, it is crucial for countries to make distinct pledges to cut aerosol emissions, as reducing these short-lived pollutants specifically and rapidly can help restore rainfall patterns, alleviate drought conditions, and contribute to overall climate change mitigation efforts.
