Air Quality and Climate Change as Integrated Policy Research Paper

Air Quality and Climate Change as Integrated Policy - Research Paper Example Ozone and black carbon do not stay in the atmosphere for a long time, unlike long-lived GHGs such as carbon dioxide. Short-term pollutants do not get evenly distributed in the atmosphere. Thus, this factor should be given a great deal of attention so as to decrease their emission. Doing so will help in providing immediate resolution that will lessen climate change rate and reduce the likelihood of global warming. Likewise, strategies in decreasing the emissions of long-lived GHGs must also be regarded as an urgent concern. In its 2004 report entitled Air Quality Management in the United States, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) suggested the integration of air pollution and climate change policies because of the found links between air quality and climate (Climate Change and Air Quality). This initiative would help in decreasing the emissions of known causes of air quality problems. At the same time, it would reduce negative impacts related to climate change. Integrating air quality and climate change policy is considerably a wise approach. It yields a number of benefits, such as in saving costs and protecting public health and the environment. It also facilitates sustainable development and helps in decreasing the carbon level in society. The success of this integration pursuit entails global consensus and needs authority that would give a broader view and proper implementation of formulated strategies. During a major conference on â€Å"Air Pollution and Climate Change: Developing a Framework for Integrated Co-benefits Strategies†, presented by the Global Atmospheric Pollution Forum in September 2008 (Hicks & Kuylenstierna, 2008), the co-benefits of air quality and climate change policies were shown. This conference has set a foundation for the improvement of global advocacy on air pollution. In the said forum, it was pointed out that there was urgent need to integrate the two policies as suggested by current science. Treating air pollution and