A post-Kyoto partner: Considering the stratospheric ozone regime as a tool to manage nitrous oxide

Kanter, David; Mauzerall, Denise L.; Ravishankara, A. R.; Daniel, J. S.; Portmann, R. W.; Grabiel, Peter M.; Moomaw, William R.; Galloway, James N.

doi:10.1073/pnas.1222231110

Cited by 73 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…159,160,247,248 Nitrous oxide is a strong greenhouse gas 34 and is a signicant source of nitrogen oxides to the stratosphere 249 as originally proposed by Crutzen in his Nobel prize-winning work. 250 Despite the knowledge that N 2 O is generated by the NO 2 heterogeneous reaction with water on surfaces, the mechanisms involved remain obscure.…”

Section: 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

Introductory lecture: atmospheric chemistry in the Anthropocene

Finlayson-Pitts

2017

Faraday Discuss.

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The term “Anthropocene” was coined by Professor Paul Crutzen in 2000 to describe an unprecedented era in which anthropogenic activities are impacting planet Earth on a global scale. Greatly increased emissions into the atmosphere, reflecting the advent of the Industrial Revolution, have caused significant changes in both the lower and upper atmosphere. Atmospheric reactions of the anthropogenic emissions and of those with biogenic compounds have significant impacts on human health, visibility, climate and weather. Two activities that have had particularly large impacts on the troposphere are fossil fuel combustion and agriculture, both associated with a burgeoning population. Emissions are also changing due to alterations in land use. This paper describes some of the tropospheric chemistry associated with the Anthropocene, with emphasis on areas having large uncertainties. These include heterogeneous chemistry such as those of oxides of nitrogen and the neonicotinoid pesticides, reactions at liquid interfaces, organic oxidations and particle formation, the role of sulfur compounds in the Anthropocene and biogenic–anthropogenic interactions. A clear and quantitative understanding of the connections between emissions, reactions, deposition and atmospheric composition is central to developing appropriate cost-effective strategies for minimizing the impacts of anthropogenic activities. The evolving nature of emissions in the Anthropocene places atmospheric chemistry at the fulcrum of determining human health and welfare in the future.

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Section: 206mentioning

confidence: 99%

Introductory lecture: atmospheric chemistry in the Anthropocene

Finlayson-Pitts

2017

Faraday Discuss.

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“…Most recently Ravishankara et al [39] discovered that N 2 O emissions currently are the single most important ozone-depleting emission and are expected to remain the largest throughout the twenty-first century. They also note that the Montreal Protocol does not cover N 2 O, although a recent paper makes a strong case for its inclusion [74].…”

Section: (E) Stratospheric Ozone Depletionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A chronology of human understanding of the nitrogen cycle

Galloway

Leach

Bleeker

et al. 2013

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B

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241

133

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Nitrogen over the ages! It was discovered in the eighteenth century. The following century, its importance in agriculture was documented and the basic components of its cycle were elucidated. In the twentieth century, a process to provide an inexhaustible supply of reactive N (N r ; all N species except N 2 ) for agricultural, industrial and military uses was invented. This discovery and the extensive burning of fossil fuels meant that by the beginning of the twenty-first century, anthropogenic sources of newly created N r were two to three times that of natural terrestrial sources. This caused a fundamental change in the nitrogen cycle; for the first time, there was the potential for enough food to sustain growing populations and changing dietary patterns. However, most N r created by humans is lost to the environment, resulting in a cascade of negative earth systems impacts—including enhanced acid rain, smog, eutrophication, greenhouse effect and stratospheric ozone depletion, with associated impacts on human and ecosystem health. The impacts continue and will be magnified, as N r is lost to the environment at an even greater rate. Thus, the challenge for the current century is how to optimize the uses of N while minimizing the negative impacts.

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“…"Natural" nitrogen oxides are formed in the lower atmosphere through chemical reactions involving N 2 O that originates from microbiological transformations at the ground as a result of both natural and human activities (Kanter et al, 2013). Therefore, Crutzen warned, increasing atmospheric concentration of nitrous oxide that can occur through the use of agricultural fertilizers might lead to reduced ozone levels (Crutzen, 1970).…”

Section: Scientists Identify Threats To the Ozone Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 1 lists a number of halogen source gases and some of their properties relevant to this discussion. Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) is the largest remaining anthropogenic threat to the stratospheric ozone layer not yet controlled by the Montreal Protocol, but it is controlled under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol as a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) (Kanter et al 2013). ODSs controlled under the Montreal Protocol include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used widely as aerosol product propellants, refrigerants, foam blowing agents, and solvents; halons used for fire protection; carbon tetrachloride used as a solvent and fire extinguishing agent; methyl chloroform used as a solvent; and methyl bromide used as a pesticide and fire extinguishing agent.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the Kyoto Protocol does include HFCs, which are ozone-safe substitutes for ODSs in refrigeration, air conditioning (A/C), and thermal insulating foam and for SF 6 and PFCs, which are minor substitutes for ODSs in medical, fire protection, and some other applications. The Kyoto Protocol group also includes N 2 O, which is an ozone-depleting GHG not yet controlled by the Montreal Protocol (Ravishankara 2012 andKanter et al, 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Stratospheric ozone, global warming, and the principle of unintended consequences—An ongoing science and policy success story

Andersen

Halberstadt²,

Borgford-Parnell

2013

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

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In 1974, Mario Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland warned that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could destroy the stratospheric ozone layer that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. In the decade after, scientists documented the buildup and long lifetime of CFCs in the atmosphere; found the proof that CFCs chemically decomposed in the stratosphere and catalyzed the depletion of ozone; quantified the adverse effects; and motivated the public and policymakers to take action. In 1987, 24 nations plus the European Community signed the Montreal Protocol. Today, 25 years after the Montreal Protocol was agreed, every United Nations state is a party (universal ratification of 196 governments); all parties are in compliance with the stringent controls; 98% of almost 100 ozone-depleting chemicals have been phased out worldwide; and the stratospheric ozone layer is on its way to recovery by 2065. A growing coalition of nations supports using the Montreal Protocol to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, which are ozone safe but potent greenhouse gases. Without rigorous science and international consensus, emissions of CFCs and related ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) could have destroyed up to two-thirds of the ozone layer by 2065, increasing the risk of causing millions of cancer cases and the potential loss of half of global agricultural production. Furthermore, because most ODSs are also greenhouse gases, CFCs and related ODSs could have had the effect of the equivalent of 24-76 gigatons per year of carbon dioxide. This critical review describes the history of the science of stratospheric ozone depletion, summarizes the evolution of control measures and compliance under the Montreal Protocol and national legislation, presents a review of six separate transformations over the last 100 years in refrigeration and air conditioning (A/C) technology, and illustrates government-industry cooperation in continually improving the environmental performance of motor vehicle A/C. Implications: The comforts and conveniences of modern life are largely taken for granted. When purchasing a product, consumers are usually not concerned with how or why it works, often assuming the product is safe to use and safe for the environment. This critical review addresses why such general public acceptance and complacency is not always the best policy. The paper explains how early warnings given by vigilant scientists highlighted the dangers of ODS and calls for action and boycotts by concerned citizens 35 years ago and regulatory actions taken by governments worldwide 25 years ago successfully phased out ODSs and avoided global catastrophe. It also highlights new opportunities for the Montreal Protocol to further protect against climate change. The implication is that scientific vigilance, public policy, and citizen action have protected and can protect Earth for future generations.

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A post-Kyoto partner: Considering the stratospheric ozone regime as a tool to manage nitrous oxide

Cited by 73 publications

References 30 publications

Introductory lecture: atmospheric chemistry in the Anthropocene

Introductory lecture: atmospheric chemistry in the Anthropocene

A chronology of human understanding of the nitrogen cycle

Stratospheric ozone, global warming, and the principle of unintended consequences—An ongoing science and policy success story

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