Commentary: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is providing $335,605 to the University of New Mexico to research challenges associated with protecting the air we breathe from the impacts of climate change. Specifically, the university will study how changes in land-use patterns and transportation systems affect greenhouse gas emissions and community exposure to vehicle pollution.
“Protecting the air we breathe—now and in the future—is a priority for EPA,” said EPA regional administrator Ron Curry. “That’s why it’s essential to have a better understanding of the impacts of climate change.”
EPA funds climate change research grants to improve knowledge of the health and environment effects of climate change, and provide sustainable solutions for communities to effectively manage and reduce the impacts of a changing climate. This research also puts new tools and information in the hands of citizens, communities, air quality managers and regulators to reduce air pollution.
Emissions of pollutants into the air can result in changes to the climate. Ozone in the atmosphere warms the climate, while different components of particulate matter can have either warming or cooling effects on the climate. For example, black carbon, a particulate pollutant from combustion, contributes to the warming of the Earth, while particulate sulfates cool the earth's atmosphere.
Climate changes can result in impacts to air quality. Atmospheric warming associated with climate change has the potential to increase ground-level ozone in many regions, which may present challenges for compliance with the ozone standards in the future. The impact of climate change on other air pollutants, such as particulate matter, is less certain, but research is underway to address these uncertainties.