Aggressively reducing super pollutants and phasing out fossil fuels could prevent four times more warming by 2050 than focusing on CO2 alone. Climate super pollutants such as methane, hydrofluorocarbons, ground-level ozone, nitrous oxide and black carbon are tens, hundreds and even thousands of times more powerful in trapping heat per pound than CO2. Most are also short-lived, so cutting them provides fast benefits for the climate while preventing trillions in climate impact costs and millions of deaths every year – especially in vulnerable communities. In a recent op-ed, Christie Ulman, President of Sequoia, and Dr. Gabrielle Dreyfus, Chief Scientist at the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD), argue that more funding must be directed towards addressing super pollutants if we want to minimize the effects of climate change and reverse a growing trend towards climate fatalism: “As costly climate change impacts painfully manifest across the United States and globally, the risk of climate fatalism can grow. Yet, the assumption that nothing can be done to limit climate change is simply incorrect. We know how to solve the problem and prevent the worst climate impacts.” #superpollutants #climatechange
Sequoia Climate Foundation’s Post
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“The assumption that nothing can be done to limit climate change is simply incorrect. We know how to solve the problem and prevent the worst climate impacts.” Deeply cutting super pollutants such as #methane, #hydrofluorocarbons, ground-level ozone, nitrous oxide, and black carbon is the single best and fastest way to cut near-term climate warming. These super pollutants are the fast half of climate solutions. Cutting them is the only way to show the public real results in the next 10 to 20 years. To succeed, we must increase our efforts quickly, including by directing more funding toward cutting super pollutants to limit near-term temperature increases and staving off climate tipping points in natural systems. The White House understands the urgency. They hosted a first-ever summit on 23 July, spotlighting the need for deep reductions in climate super pollutants. Last year, major philanthropies pledged $450 million over three years to reduce super pollutants. An additional >$300 million to support the Global Methane Hub was also announced at last week’s summit. But more can and must be done. Congratulations to Dr. Gabrielle Dreyfus and Christie Ulman for this excellent piece. https://lnkd.in/eekptP-A
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Super climate pollutants getting more light from the feds! Methane, N2O, HFCs are much more powerful climate forcers in the near term. Glad to see action across the board. https://lnkd.in/eWH36cse
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Today's BBC article highlights the alarming acceleration of global CO₂ emissions, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive climate action. Despite international commitments, emissions have continued to rise, exacerbating the climate crisis. It's imperative that we intensify our efforts to mitigate CO₂ emissions. Collective action from governments, industries, and individuals is crucial to safeguard our planet for future generations. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ReduceCO2 #GreenFuture #EcoFriendly https://lnkd.in/ejrPfEhf
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Carbon offsets alone won’t solve the climate crisis. Leading scientists call for 'real zero'—true emissions cuts instead of ‘net zero’ offsets—to tackle climate impacts effectively. Let’s move beyond quick fixes and make meaningful progress. #RealZero #ClimateAction #EndFossilFuels
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Trees are struggling to absorb CO2 as effectively as they once did, leading to a sharp rise in global carbon emissions 🌳 With forests facing unprecedented stress due to climate change, this natural buffer is weakening. These findings are a critical reminder that while nature plays a crucial role, we must focus on reducing carbon output through collective action to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis. Read more about the research below ⬇️ #climatechange #environment #sustainability
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Great to see the US government emphasizing action against short lived, superpolluting climate forcers! The listed efforts cover methane, HFCs and nitrous oxide, and span domestic policy as well as international cooperation. For more on why companies and governments must take urgent action on SLCPs, and the steps they can take, to get there, take a look at the open letter we co-authored with Project Drawdown and others. https://lnkd.in/e8bW3U3a
Super climate pollutants getting more light from the feds! Methane, N2O, HFCs are much more powerful climate forcers in the near term. Glad to see action across the board. https://lnkd.in/eWH36cse
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While the primary focus of tackling climate change is on carbon dioxide (CO2), a group of other greenhouse gases and aerosols – known as “super pollutants” – is having a profound impact on both global temperature and human health. https://lnkd.in/eWvZ9YaC
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As Carbon Dioxide levels in the atmosphere continue to rise, slowing the effects of climate changes becomes an ever-pressing issue. Do we need to look to the seas to help keep those levels down? Check out the article below, detailing the ways we could use the ocean to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. Let us know your thoughts! Is this the answer to resolve our climate change issues? https://lnkd.in/dVatJQjz. #sustainability #climatechange #carboncapture
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🌿 As the saying goes, ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’ The same is true for addressing super pollutants—urgent action today will yield rapid, impactful benefits for us all. 🌍 Super pollutants like methane, black carbon, HFCs and others are responsible for more than half of global warming now and into 2100. Cutting these pollutants is the only fast action tool we have to limit the overshoot on warming and to keep the Paris goals in sight. And the benefits from these reductions are significant to people—here are just a couple examples: - Health: Avoid up to 2.4 million premature deaths annually by improving air quality. - Food Security: Prevent the loss of 52 million tons of crops each year. - Economic Savings: Reduce 73 billion hours of lost labor caused by extreme heat annually. It’s critical to remember that it’s the poorest in our societies who will suffer the most from climate impacts. By embedding super pollutant reduction into strategies across all sectors of our economies- from healthcare to farming, energy, and cooling, we can see real results within the next decade for ourselves, for the least advantaged, and for the planet. So, while it's easy to despair- I'm telling you that we don't have to. We just need to act. As the DNC crowd chanted during Michelle Obama’s speech: "Just do something!" I’m very proud to work on this issue with climate leaders like Christie Ulman at Sequoia Climate Foundation, Gabrielle at Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD), Greg De Temmerman Quadrature Climate Foundation, Marisa de Belloy at High Tide Foundation, David Beckman at Pisces Foundation, Susan Bell and Jennifer Kurz. The article below by Christie and Gabby dives deeper into why addressing super pollutants is key to slowing warming now while building a healthier, more resilient future. 🌱 As Robert Swan said, "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." Let's take action now. 🔗📢
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HOW HUMAN ACTIONS AFFECT OUR CLIMATE: Human actions have a profound impact on the climate, and it's essential to understand the key actions that contribute to this. One of the primary ways human activities affect the climate is through the release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides, which trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to global warming. The leading cause of global warming is the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, primarily due to burning fossil fuels for industry, transportation, and residential purposes. The excessive release of carbon dioxide has led to a significant increase in global temperatures, resulting in extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and altered precipitation patterns. Another critical factor is land-use change, such as deforestation, which not only releases carbon dioxide but also disrupts ecosystems and biodiversity. Additionally, the production and transportation of food, especially meat, contribute substantially to greenhouse gas emissions. It's crucial to address these key actions to mitigate climate change. We can do this by transitioning to renewable energy sources, increasing energy efficiency, protecting natural habitats, and adopting sustainable land-use practices. By understanding the depth of human impact on the climate and taking collective action, we can work towards a more sustainable future. Augustine Chikere Nzekwe #GreenRevolution #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #Sustainability #EcoFriendly #RenewableEnergy #SaveThePlanet"
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