A new study released by the National Center for Atmospheric research (NCAR) shows that Americans may face a sharp increase in summertime ozone levels by the year 2050. If climate change trends remain unchanged, the country could experience a 70 percent rise in ozone pollution levels by the year 2050.
Increasing global temperatures brought about by climate change can have drastic effects on the levels of ozone pollution in the atmosphere. Due to increase temperatures, the levels of atmospheric methane also go up. The NCAR report says that the entire country will experience elevated levels of unhealthy ozone during the summer months if certain types of pollutants continue to be leaked into the atmosphere. Even in the least affected areas, a few days of unhealthy levels of ozone will be unavoidable. The danger is particularly worrying for areas of the country that already have alarmingly high levels of air pollution.
"It doesn't matter where you are in the United States-climate change has the potential to make your air worse," said Gabriele Pfister, a researcher from the NCAR. the lead author of the new study. "A warming planet doesn't just mean rising temperatures, it also means risking more summertime pollution and the health impacts that come with it." Pfister is also the lead author of the study.
Currently many areas in the country are already experiencing heightened levels of air pollution that go beyond the standards set by the government. However, the NCAR report indicates that climate change will make thing even worse. Since ozone is naturally formed when light from the sun reacts with certain gas emissions and heat, increasing temperatures from climate change along with current levels of fossil fuel use continues to make the problem worse. The problem is further complicated by the fact the fossil fuel emission can further accelerate climate change, which can also have drastic effects on atmospheric ozone production.
"Our work confirms that reducing emissions of ozone precursors would have an enormous effect on the air we all breathe," Pfister added.
Way up in the Earth's stratosphere, ozone acts as a protective layer that shields the planet's surface from excess UV radiation. Down in the surface however, ozone is known to damage human lungs. The compound is known to have a searing effect on the human pulmonary system. In healthy individual, heightened levels of ozone can cause breathing problems. The problem is further compounded for people with asthma and other pulmonary conditions. The researchers warn the by the year 2050, ozone levels will reach record heights.
"This research would not have been possible even just a couple of years ago," said Pfister. "Without the new computing power made possible by Yellowstone, you cannot depict the necessary detail of future changes in air chemistry over small areas, including the urban centers where most Americans live."
