Case study of the effects of atmospheric aerosols and regional haze on agriculture: An opportunity to enhance crop yields in China through emission controls?

Chameides, W. L.; Yu, Hongbin; Liu, S. C.; Bergin, Michael H.; Zhou, Xiuji; Mearns, Linda O.; Wang, G.; Kiang, C. S.; Saylor, Rick; Luo, Chao; Huang, Yan; Steiner, Allison L.; Giorgi, Filippo

doi:10.1073/pnas.96.24.13626

Cited by 454 publications

(276 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Few, if any, studies have attempted to fully account for co-benefits of CO 2 abatement in a regional context. Several studies, however, point to regional air pollution and resulting impacts on agriculture and people as an increasing problem in China (16)(17)(18)(19).…”

Section: Climate-change and Air-pollution Linksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Air Quality—Measures with Co-Benefits in China

Aunan

Fang²,

Hu³

et al. 2006

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Climate Changeand Air Quality-Measures with Co-Benefits in CHINA A lthough the Kyoto Protocol is an important step, its impact on global warming, seen in isolation, will be small. Broader participation and deeper cuts in greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions are essential for any post-Kyoto agreement to have a significant effect. Particularly important are the prospects for curbing GHG emissions in large developing countries, such as China and India, whose CO 2 emissions are projected to grow dramatically over the next few decades. Here we focus on China, which is second only to the U.S. in CO 2 emissions (although the per capita emissions are less than one-sixth of those of the U.S.) and which is expected to become the largest single emitter of GHGs in the coming decades. Several studies carried out in China over the past 5-10 years, including our own work, have found that many measures aimed primarily at reducing local air pollution decrease GHG emissions as a cobenefit. Conversely, a range of CO 2 -mitigating policies entail reductions in air pollution as a co-benefit. This implies that the real costs of climate policies in China may be lower than anticipated by the government. In this article, we describe the links between climate change and air-quality issues as well as the health and environmental benefits accruing from alternative measures and policies for CO 2 mitigation in China. We argue that the tremendous potential to cut GHG emissions while simultaneously reducing air pollution should make cooperation on climatecontrol strategies more attractive to China and other countries in a similar position. Controls aimed atreducing greenhouse-gas emissions also decrease air pollution.

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Section: Climate-change and Air-pollution Linksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Air Quality—Measures with Co-Benefits in China

Aunan

Fang²,

Hu³

et al. 2006

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…108 Attenuation of photosynthetically active radiation by both atmospheric PM and by PM deposited on plant leaves may significantly impact the solar radiation available for photosynthesis in agricultural regions in China. 102,109 Regional Climate Change Emissions from megacities may also play a role in regional climate impacts. High levels of GHG associated with major cities 27 have a direct impact on IR radiative forcing globally.…”

Section: Regional Ecosystem Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Megacities and Atmospheric Pollution

Molina

2004

Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association

654

370

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About half of the world's population now lives in urban areas because of the opportunity for a better quality of life. Many of these urban centers are expanding rapidly, leading to the growth of megacities, which are defined as metropolitan areas with populations exceeding 10 million inhabitants. These concentrations of people and activity are exerting increasing stress on the natural environment, with impacts at urban, regional and global levels. In recent decades, air pollution has become one of the most important problems of megacities. Initially, the main air pollutants of concern were sulfur compounds, which were generated mostly by burning coal. Today, photochemical smog-induced primarily from traffic, but also from industrial activities, power generation, and solvents-has become the main source of concern for air quality, while sulfur is still a major problem in many cities of the developing world. Air pollution has serious impacts on public health, causes urban and regional haze, and has the potential to contribute significantly to climate change. Yet, with appropriate planning, megacities can efficiently address their air quality problems through measures such as application of new emission control technologies and development of mass transit systems.This review is focused on nine urban centers, chosen as case studies to assess air quality from distinct perspectives: from cities in the industrialized nations to cities in the developing world. While each city-its problems, resources, and outlook-is unique, the need for a holistic approach to the complex environmental problems is the same. There is no single strategy in reducing air pollution in megacities; a mix of policy measures will be needed to improve air quality. Experience shows that strong political will coupled with public dialog is essential to effectively implement the regulations required to address air quality problems.

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“…The high concentration of soot over India and China is responsible for a trend toward increased flooding in the south and drought in the north [3]. It is estimated that the reduced atmospheric transparency caused by high soot concentrations decrease agricultural productivity by 10-20% [4]. The soot deposited on plant leaves also reduces plant productivity [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal Variation of Black Carbon Aerosol Concentration during Monsoon in Kathmandu Valley

Sharma¹,

Bhattarai²,

Sapkota³

et al. 2014

J. Inst. Engineering

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Black carbon aerosol was measured continuously for three months June, July and August 2009 at G block of Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Department of Engineering Science and Humanities using Magee Scientific Aethalometer AE 31 model. The study period corresponds to monsoon season over Nepal. The study site Pulchow Campus is located at 27°22'N latitude and 85°32'E longitude. The diurnal variation of aerosol black carbon shows two peaks during morning and late evening. These two distinct peaks occur due to gradual increase in the anthropogenic activities and rush hour traffic. Among the three months of monsoon highest monthly average was observed during June while lowest during July and moderate on August with 5.3 g/m 3 , 3.0 g/m 3 and 3.8 g/m 3 respectively. The average rain fall in these months were 126mm, 326.3mm and 383mm respectively. The concentration of aerosol black carbon is higher in dry month than rainy months because it is washed by rain once it is released in the atmosphere. In the daily average the highest value of aerosol black carbon was observed on 9 th June as 8.2 g/m 3 while lowest value on 16 th August as low as 1.9g/m 3 .

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Case study of the effects of atmospheric aerosols and regional haze on agriculture: An opportunity to enhance crop yields in China through emission controls?

Cited by 454 publications

References 41 publications

Climate Change and Air Quality—Measures with Co-Benefits in China

Climate Change and Air Quality—Measures with Co-Benefits in China

Megacities and Atmospheric Pollution

Temporal Variation of Black Carbon Aerosol Concentration during Monsoon in Kathmandu Valley

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