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Berkeley Lab Researcher Marc Fischer Presents at Hearing on Short-Lived Greenhouse Gases

May 29, 2012

Marc Fischer, a scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), presented research results about methane, as part of a panel discussion on short-lived greenhouse pollutants, and climate change at a recent meeting of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on May 24. He was one of six distinguished scientists who presented there.

Their research suggested that focusing on methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and black carbon would be a highly effective strategy to mitigate impacts of climate change especially in Arctic regions.

Black carbon, methane (natural gas), and hydrofluorocarbons, which are used used in refrigeration and air conditioning, are short-lived climate pollutants. They remain in the atmosphere for short periods of time, as compared to the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, ranging from just days to decades. Reducing their emissions will produce a rapid reduction in their contribution to climate change.

Recently, the Group of Eight (G8) announced that it is joining the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (launched in February) complementing efforts to address carbon dioxide emissions.

For more information, read the California Air Resources Board press release.

Download the presentations from the meeting, including Fischer’s.

Read a KQED Climate Watch blog entry about the hearing.

Author

Allan Chen