Climate-Friendly Actions with Co-Benefits Julie McNamee NPS Air Resources Division July 17, 2007.

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

[email protected]

(202) 513-7182

http://www2.nature.nps.gov/air/

• Have a great day!