Short-lived Climate Pollutants

Question 1

Ozone-depleting substances (ODS)

Answer 1

Short-lived Climate Pollutant- Cloroflurocarbons (CFCs) (banned as of 2010)

• Hydrocloroflurocarbons (HCFS) phase out by 2030- in 2007, target was moved up from 2040 (equivalent to cutting 25B tons of CO2)
• Hydroflurocarbons (HFCs)

Question 2

Black Carbon

Answer 2

Short-lived Climate Pollutant- PM2.5 (US-diesel, Developing Countries- open burning)

• Effects (absorbs light, reduces albedo (reflectivity), interacts w/clouds)
• Short lifetime (days to weeks) but strong warming potential

Question 3

Methane

Answer 3

Short-lived Climate Pollutant- large portion comes from livestock

Question 4

Tropospheric Ozone (O3)

Answer 4

Short-lived Climate Pollutant- not a primary pollutant because it is not emitted directly but instead forms when precursor gases react in presence of sunlight

Question 5

Montreal Protocol

Answer 5

• Controls production and consumption of ODS- more than emissions
• Start and Strengthen- signed by 24 states in 1987
• Common but differentiated responsibilities- developing countries generally have grace period of ten years and agreed to binding controls in exchange for financing of agreed incremental costs.

Question 6

Montreal Protocol compared to Kyoto

Answer 6

Its reductions from 1990-2010, somewhere between 5 and 20 times greater than Kyoto’s first commitment period

Question 7

Radiative Forcing (RF)

Answer 7

-A measure of Earth’s surface temp determined by balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing infrared radiation. Can be positive or negative

Question 8

Recent EPA Rulemakings

Answer 8

SNAP (Significant New Alternatives Policy)

• Enacted under Section 612 of CAA
• Rule 19 (April 2015)- Climate Friendly Refrigerants Alternatives
• Rule 20 (July 2015)- various HFCs and HFC blends not acceptable for spec. users as of certain dates
• Rule 21 (Sept. 2016)- status change of several substances and acceptable/unacceptable uses

Question 9

Kigalia Amendment Montreal Protocol Oct 2016

Answer 9

• Developed Countries (10% by 2019 from 2011-13 levels and 85% by 2036)
• Group 2- India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Arab Gulf States- developing (Freeze 2028, 10% by 2032 from 2024-26 levels and 85% by 2047)
• Group 1- all other developing (Freeze 2024, 10% by 2029 from 2020-22, and 80% by 2045)

Question 10

RF of a GHG

Answer 10

Determined by concentration in the atmosphere, global warming (or cooling) potential, and residence time (half-life).