title: Simultaneously mitigating near-term climate change and improving human health and food security.
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.
authors.affiliation: NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and Columbia Earth Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA. drew.t.shindell@nasa.gov
authors.forename: Drew
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shindell
authors.forename: Johan C I
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kuylenstierna
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vignati
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Dingenen
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amann
authors.forename: Zbigniew
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Klimont
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Anenberg
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: Greet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Janssens-Maenhout
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Raes
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Faluvegi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pozzoli
authors.forename: Kaarle
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kupiainen
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Höglund-Isaksson
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Emberson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Streets
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: N T Kim
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Oanh
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Milly
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Volodymyr
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Demkine
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fowler
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057231:Climate Change; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005523:Food Supply; D006262:Health; D006801:Humans; D008697:Methane / Q000032:analysis; D061213:Mortality, Premature; D010126:Ozone / Q000032:analysis; D053260:Soot / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D053260:Soot; D010126:Ozone; D008697:Methane