A new study produced by an international team of scientists focuses on efforts to reduce the production of two shorter-term pollutants, rather than carbon dioxide, that drive climate change.
Brian Vastag and Juliet Eilperin write of measures to reduce the production of methane and soot, outlined in a study appearing in the journal Science, that could slow global warming, save millions of lives and boost crop production around the world.
"Previous studies have noted the benefits of reducing methane and soot. But the new study looked at the specific effect of about 400 actions policymakers could take. Of those, just 14 interventions - such as eliminating wood-burning stoves, dampening emissions from diesel vehicles and capturing methane released from coal mines - would offer big benefits."
Brooks Yeager, executive vice president for policy for the advocacy group Clean Air-Cool Planet, gave the report's positive reception a reality check, "I think it's a little dangerous to think you can do this instead of reducing carbon dioxide," Yaeger said. "If you don't reduce carbon dioxide, the benefits of reducing these [pollutants] will recede into the background and be overwhelmed by carbon."
FULL STORY: Study: Simple measures could reduce global warming, save lives
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