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MODELING THE IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
Citation:
JACOB, D. J. AND A. GILLILAND. MODELING THE IMPACT OF AIR POLLUTION ON GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE. EM: AIR AND WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION'S MAGAZINE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGERS. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, , 24-27, (2005).
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this work is to investigate the impact of global climate change on the regional air quality of the United States. Impacts of climate change on meteorological patterns and primary source emissions are investigated as primary elements influencing future air quality.
Description:
Tropospheric ozone (O3) and aerosols have major effects on climate and are the two air pollutants of most concern in the developed world. O3 is a major greenhouse gas (GHG) and light-absorbing aerosols such as black carbon (BC) also contribute to global warming. In contrast, light-scattering aerosols such as sulfate have a cooling effect. Aerosols further affect climate by serving as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and modifying the radiative and precipitation properties of clouds. In this article, we review current understanding of the climatic effects of air pollutants and examine the implications for U.S. emissions control strategies directed at air quality.