Climate change and air pollution are inextricably linked, sharing common roots in human activities like industrial processes, transportation, and agriculture. The emissions from these activities contribute not only to air pollution but also to climate change, creating a complex interplay that demands a unified approach to mitigation. It is impossible to effectively tackle climate change without simultaneously addressing air pollution.

Before diving deeper, let's understand what we refer to as air pollution and climate change.

What is Air Pollution?

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the atmosphere, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone (O3). These pollutants come from a variety of sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and natural events such as wildfires. Worldwide, air pollution causes around 7 million premature deaths each year, with 91% of the world's population living in areas where air quality levels exceed WHO standards.

Understanding Climate Change

The term "climate change" refers to long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other aspects of Earth's climate system. As a result of human activity, greenhouse gasses have increased in the atmosphere, causing recent climate change. Greenhouse gases, including CO2, methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gasses, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, leading to the greenhouse effect. This effect is essential for life on Earth, keeping our planet warm enough to support life. However, human activities have intensified the greenhouse effect, causing global temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate.

Scientific evidence for the warming of the climate system is unequivocal. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):

• Temperature Rise: The global average surface temperature has risen by about 1.2°C since the late 19th century, with the last decade being the warmest on record.
• Sea Level Rise: Global sea levels have risen by about 20 centimeters since the beginning of the 20th century, primarily due to the thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets.
• Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes.
• Ocean Acidification: Increased CO2 absorption by oceans is causing acidification, affecting marine life and ecosystems.

Connection of Climate Change and Air Pollution: The Inter-Dependence

Shared Origins and Impacts

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) play a significant role in global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. At the same time, the activities that release GHGs also emit pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which have severe health impacts and contribute to environmental degradation.

For instance, carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas emitted through burning fossil fuels, has increased by more than 40% since the pre-industrial era. Methane, released during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, and from agricultural practices, is more than 25 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period. Nitrous oxide, emitted from agricultural and industrial activities, is about 300 times more effective than CO2 at trapping heat over the same period.

Tackling Air Pollution is Crucial for Tackling Climate Change

Addressing air pollution is not just a matter of improving air quality—it is a critical component of the broader effort to combat climate change. Air pollution and climate change are intricately linked through the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases that affect both human health and global temperatures. Pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) stem from similar sources, including industrial processes, transportation, and agriculture. These pollutants not only degrade air quality but also contribute to the greenhouse effect and global warming. By reducing air pollution, we can simultaneously decrease the concentration of greenhouse gases, thus mitigating their warming impact and contributing to climate stabilization.

Improving climate change and air pollution simultaneously requires a holistic approach. Efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption, enhance energy efficiency, and promote renewable energy sources can mitigate both GHG emissions and air pollutants. For example, transitioning to electric vehicles reduces CO2 emissions and decreases the release of NO2 and PM2.5 from vehicular exhaust.

Conversely, neglecting either issue can undermine progress on the other. Policies focused solely on reducing air pollution without addressing GHG emissions may fall short of achieving significant climate benefits. Similarly, climate policies that overlook air quality improvements may miss opportunities to enhance public health and environmental quality. It is clear that solving climate change necessitates solving the air pollution problem.

The Double Edge Dichotomy

It is logical to think that higher air pollution will lead to an increase in global warming, making us believe that air pollution has a linear relationship with climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic brought upon an unprecedented scenario of the world shutting down. During lockdown periods, the decrease in air pollution levels was evident, and with this reduced air pollution, the temperature should have fallen. However, major metro cities experienced a rise in temperatures, establishing a counterintuitive relationship between air pollution and climate change.

This interplay between air quality and climate change underscores the complex dynamics shaping our environment. A study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres analyzed data from Delhi during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. It found that greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) had a more significant warming effect, leading to higher daytime temperatures compared to previous years.

Aerosol particles, such as sulfates and nitrates, emitted from vehicular exhaust and industrial processes, possess a unique ability to scatter sunlight and reflect solar radiation back into space. This reflective quality often manifests as a cooling effect on Earth's surface, counteracting some of the warming attributed to greenhouse gases. Thus, the reduction in aerosol emissions during lockdown periods not only intensified the warming effect of CO2 and CH4 but also underscored the delicate balance between aerosol-induced cooling and greenhouse gas-driven warming in shaping local and global climate dynamics.

How Airveda Making a Positive Change

Airveda is at the forefront of integrating solutions for air pollution and climate change. By providing advanced air quality monitors and robust data analytics, Airveda empowers individuals, organizations, and governments to make informed decisions that address both issues concurrently. Here's how Airveda’s work directly impacts climate change

Airveda’s efforts to improve air quality align seamlessly with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcasing a multifaceted approach to fostering a healthier, more sustainable world. By addressing air pollution at its source and empowering communities with actionable data, Airveda is making significant strides towards achieving SDG 3, SDG 11, and SDG 13.

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Airveda’s monitors provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, CO2, and VOCs, helping individuals and communities reduce exposure to harmful air. Schools can use this data for a safer environment, hospitals to protect patients, and communities to advocate for cleaner air. These efforts align with SDG 3 by reducing health issues related to poor air quality.

Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Airveda’s solutions help cities manage air quality by identifying pollution hotspots and tracking control measures. This data-driven approach helps reduce pollution, improve public health, and enhance quality of life. Urban planners and transportation departments can use this data to design green spaces and optimize traffic, supporting SDG 11.

Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action

Airveda’s monitoring aids in understanding and mitigating climate change effects. By providing data to track climate goals, industries can optimize processes, and policymakers can design effective regulations. Communities can engage in emission reduction efforts, aligning Airveda’s initiatives with SDG 13 for climate resilience and reduced emissions.

Reducing Emissions and Enhancing Efficiency by Building Automation Systems

Building automation systems are recognized as a significant solution for reducing Greenhouse levels and enhancing energy efficiency. According to Project Drawdown, automation in buildings can dramatically cut energy use by managing heating, cooling, lighting, and other systems more efficiently. This reduction in energy consumption directly translates to lower CO2 emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation.

Airveda is at the forefront of supporting automation in buildings to create more energy-efficient environments. The company provides comprehensive air quality and energy monitoring solutions that integrate seamlessly with building automation systems. By monitoring air quality and energy usage in real-time, Airveda's solutions enable buildings to optimize their energy consumption while maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

One notable example is Airveda's project in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank. In this initiative, Airveda is conducting extensive energy monitoring to help buildings reduce their energy consumption and improve overall efficiency. This project highlights the potential of building automation to address climate change and demonstrates Airveda's commitment to fostering sustainable practices globally.

By merging advanced monitoring solutions with building automation, Airveda contributes to creating smarter, more efficient buildings that not only reduce emissions but also support broader climate action efforts. This strategy aligns with the goals of sustainable development, highlighting how technology and innovation can drive meaningful progress towards a more sustainable future.

A Path Forward for a Healthier Planet

The intricate relationship between air pollution and climate change underscores the urgency for coordinated and comprehensive action. If humanity continues to burn fossil fuels unchecked, we face a future with worsening air quality and escalating climate change. The interplay between these two issues creates a vicious cycle: warmer temperatures exacerbate air pollution, and increased air pollution further accelerates climate change.

To forge a path forward, we must embrace collective action at global, national, and local levels. Sustainable practices, reduced emissions, and investment in clean technologies are essential. By leveraging innovations like Airveda's advanced air quality monitors, we can gather accurate data, identify pollution sources, and implement effective strategies to combat both air pollution and climate change.

The stakes are high, but with concerted efforts and a commitment to sustainable development, we can mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a cleaner, healthier future for all. For more information on how Airveda’s air quality monitors can help you achieve cleaner air and contribute to climate change mitigation, visit Airveda.