climate-friendly actions with co-benefits julie mcnamee nps air resources division july 17, 2007
TRANSCRIPT
Climate-Friendly Actions with Co-Benefits
Julie McNamee
NPS Air Resources Division
July 17, 2007
Overview
• Co-benefits introduction• CAPs explained• Impacts of CAPs• How CAPs and GHG are related• The Co-Benefits Concept• Co-Benefit Examples
Co-benefits
• When reduce one type of pollutant you reduce another so there are ‘co-benefits’
• GHG reduction and CAP reduction go hand-in-hand
What are CAPs?
Criteria Air Pollutants
• Cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare
• Result from numerous, diverse mobile and stationary sources
Regulations exist
CAP regulation: the Clean Air Act
• Primary standards are to protect human health, including sensitive populations
• Secondary standards are to protect public welfare
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards are established for six criteria pollutants (nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and lead)
Primary v. Secondary standard objectives
• Health
• Welfare
Impacts of CAPs : NOx
• Nitrogen oxides
– React with volatile organic compounds to form ozone (smog), a respiratory irritant
– Contribute to acid deposition (acid rain and nutrient overload)
– Significant player in visibility reduction
Impacts of CAPs : SOx
• Sulfur oxides
– Cause respiratory illness
– Primary factor in acid deposition
– Primary cause of visibility reduction
Impacts of CAPS : 03
• Ozone
– Triggers a variety of respiratory health problems
– May cause permanent lung damage
– Injures plants and ecosystems
Ozone continued
Impacts of CAPs : PM
• Particulate Matter
– Causes respiratory illness
– Contributes to acid deposition
– Causes aesthetic damage to culturally important objects
– Contribute to visibility reduction
Impacts of CAPs : CO
• Carbon Monoxide
Cardiovascular and nervous system effects stem from reduced lung function
Impacts of CAPs : Pb
Lead
Serious health effects include damage to brain and nervous system (particularly in young children), damage to reproductive and other organs
Burn Wood andFossil Fuels
GlobalWarming
Carbon Dioxide
Smog,Ozone
Copper, Lead,Zinc Smelting
SO2
SO2atmospheric
sulfates
Hydrocarbons
O3
Acid Rain Unsafe toBreathe
Nitrogen Oxides
Smoke
Carbon Monoxide
Burn Wood andFossil Fuels
GlobalWarming
Carbon Dioxide
Smog,Ozone
Copper, Lead,Zinc Smelting
SO2
SO2atmospheric
sulfates
Hydrocarbons
O3
Acid Rain Unsafe toBreathe
Nitrogen Oxides
Smoke
Carbon Monoxide
Burn Wood andFossil Fuels
GlobalWarming
Carbon Dioxide
Smog,Ozone
Copper, Lead,Zinc Smelting
SO2
SO2atmospheric
sulfates
Hydrocarbons
O3
Acid Rain Unsafe toBreathe
Nitrogen Oxides
Smoke
Carbon Monoxide
Burn Wood andFossil Fuels
GlobalWarming
Carbon Dioxide
Smog,Ozone
Copper, Lead,Zinc Smelting
SO2
SO2atmospheric
sulfates
Hydrocarbons
O3
Acid Rain Unsafe toBreathe
Nitrogen Oxides
Smoke
Carbon Monoxide
How are GHGs and CAPs Related?
The Co-Benefits Concept
• Take ONE action, receive TWO benefits: both CAPs and GHGs are reduced simultaneously
• Plus, the impacts associated with each form of emissions are reduced
CAP-Reducing Measures with GHG Co-Benefits
• Replace boilers/ generators/heaters with less polluting versions
• Reduce vehicle idling
• Use alternative-fuel vehicles
• Carpool
• Encourage use of public transportation
Example: Institute a Visitor Shuttle
• CAP Action: Restrict roadways to personal vehicles; transport visitors via shuttle instead– Glacier Nat’l Park– Grand Canyon Nat’l Park
• Result: Dramatically improve park air quality by reducing CAPs
• Co-Benefit:– GHG: Less combustion of gasoline/diesel – saves CO2
emissions– GHG: Reduced VMT – saves CH4 and N2O emissions– Economic incentive– Decreased road maintenance costs
GHG-Reducing Measures with CAP Co-Benefits
• Use energy-efficient appliances
• Use renewable energy
• Turn off lights/appliances when not in use
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Encourage alternate modes of transportation (walking, biking, etc.)
• Weatherize buildings
Example: Install Photovoltaic Panels
• GHG Action: Install photovoltaic panels on buildings to meet building energy needs via solar energy– Zion National Park
• Result: Reduce energy consumption (and energy costs) and CO2 emissions– Sometimes excess energy can be sent back to the grid,
supplying emission-free electricity to other users
• CAP Co-benefit: fewer emissions of CAPs at power plant
The take home message
• CAPs and GHGs are contributing to global climate change
BUT
• There are things that you can do to help reduce your contribution of GHGs and CAPs!
• Follow the leaders: NPS, EPA, DOE, USFS and others!
WE CAN DO SOMETHING!
Let’s not let this become our reality!
Act now!
Any questions?
THANK YOU!
For future questions please contact me:
Julie McNamee
National Park Service
Air Resources Division
(202) 513-7182
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/
• Have a great day!