UN Environment Programme
Climate love
Climate love
Showing the opportunities for buying some more time for collective winning
We are all running against time. Most probably, at multiple point of time in life each of us feel that I wish I have some more time for my submission or for my examination. I could have done so much better if I have more time. And then we really get that breather because deadline is extended, or the examination is rescheduled. Now what can we do with this opportunity? Should we waste it by resting or should we really keep improving for a better performance?
Well world is now standing at a similar cross road of such an opportunity. The UNEP in Baku has recently conducted a session on release of : Global Nitrous Assessment forgotten Super Pollutant and
Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment
The Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment shines a spotlight on a critical but often overlooked climate threat. Nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas and a top ozone-depleting substance. Nitrous Oxide is mostly emitted from synthetic fertilisers and manure in agriculture. Rising faster than expected, its emissions threaten both our climate and ozone layer. The report highlights actionable steps to cut emissions by over 40%, with deeper reductions achievable through transformations in food systems and society. As part of the essential nitrogen cycle, nitrous oxide plays a crucial role in our global food system but demands urgent attention for sustainable solutions.
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/global-nitrous-oxide-assessment
and WDHT has brought this important whisper for our ear and eyes that we can still buy some time to combat climate change. The CO2 emission needs to be reduced but the current trajectory of CO2 reduction is very slow. The clocking is running against us. At this pace the global temperature rise of 1.5 degree C threshold, which is essential for our happy survival in this planet shall not be possible. However, CO2 is not the only GHG, which are causing global warming. There are other pollutants too, these are now called Super pollutants, which are responsible for global warming and air pollution. Methane, Nitrous Oxides (N2O) and Tropospheric Ozone are the other GHGs, which significantly contribute to global warming and which stays shorter time period in atmosphere but has higher potential to warm the atmosphere than CO2. Scientists has started identifying these pollutants as super pollutants. Same quantity of one super pollutant has higher global warming potential (GWP).
Wikipedia says "Global warming potential (GWP) is an index to measure how much infrared thermal radiation a greenhouse gas would absorb over a given time frame after it has been added to the atmosphere (or emitted to the atmosphere)."
The GWP of methane is 25-28, N2O is 273 if CO2 is assumed to be 1. These super pollutants stays for shorter time period of time that CO2. Reducing CO2 is long term solution but if it takes longer than for immediate relief world has to work on reducing super pollutants.
Unlike Stratospheric Ozone, the tropospheric Ozone (near ground level zone) is also causing global warming and air pollution. If these super pollutants are removed from the atmosphere, then the total amount of GHGs (Greenhouse Gases), which have been accumulated in atmosphere shall drop and the global heat content shall also decline. In other word, if we can remove these super pollutants from atmosphere or can prevent from emitting then we at least be able to delay the global temperature rise of 1.5 degree. It is expected that the market of renewables and Energy Efficiencies shall be ready by that "extended deadline" to replace fossil fuel. We shall collectively win this battle at the end. In this session the panelists nicely introduced us to these super pollutants: N2O or Nitrous Oxide, which is frequently produced as a bi-product from excessive fertiliser sparying in the agriculture fields or from the unused manures of live stock. Methane is also produced from agriculture and livestocks. Tropospheric Ozone is a very toxic pollutant for humans and plants and are produced from complex chemical reactions of vehicular emissions and other factors. N2O has a five percent contribution in global warming or is responsible for 0.2 deg C rise. Ground level Ozone is responsble for 10% of cross warming. The refrigerants like HCFCs, HFCs also belong to the same group. Reducing these super pollutants can help in bringing down of global temperature rise by 0.25 Deg C.
Montreal Protocol and its Success
Past success often gives us the clue for future wins. Montreal Protocol is one such successful laurel of UN (United Nations) where the Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), which were also very harmful for the our lives were removed globally. 99 out of 100 chemicals were phased out in time. It was not an easy task because ODS were used in many household products like coolants and refrigerants. But in this case, unlike the GHG emissions, the UN, countries and its governments at various levels, the very industries which used to produce ODS joined hands. Alternatives were introduced and the battle was won. Stratospheric Ozone, which is a good shield over the earth that protects us from harmful ultraviolet rays were depleted by ODS. The concentration of stratospheric Ozone reduced so much that scientists stated that a Ozone hole has been created. This Stratospheric Ozone is replenished with phasing out of ODS by introductions of alternatives with a short time span across the globe. Now this success story can be replicated with the super pollutants to deter climate change.
The good news is that 158 countries has already agreed to reduce CH4. As Dr Martina, UNEP fondly mentions wearing a green heart, a green solution to a difficult problem
Scientist believes that there is also massive market opportunity of introducing climate friendly fertilizers by phasing out climate destroying fertilizers.
This effort can be strengthened by precision agriculture, regenerative farming, reprocessing of livestock manure as new source of nutrients, less animal protein intake, efficient applications of fertilizers and many more. Energy Transition shall also result in drastic reduction of super pollutants. Farmers, our food providers can join this battle as climate warriors with resource and improved wisdom.
UN has already published a report. The Climate finance may also make provisions for training farmers of new techniques with new chemicals and the success of Montreal Protocol can be replicated in the battle.
The core message remains that there are innovative ways to buy some time and let's buy it and let's utilize it with effective declared action.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdRaE-COBXY
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Dear DIPANJANA MAULIK Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to UN Environment Programme by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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Their efforts to promote sustainability will greatly encourage global cooperation. Supporting their initiatives can help create a healthier planet for future generations.
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Every second counts! Lets buy more time.
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Time is the most critical component of our existence and it is imperative for each one of us to use their time to impact and create a real difference where they are