The Unintended Consequences of Some Climate Change Solutions. By James Kanter, NYTimes, October 31, 2008. "A preliminary study released Thursday [Effects of Climate Policies on Emission of Air Pollutants in the Netherlands, PDF, 76 pp] by a consortium led by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency looked at the potential ramifications a Dutch plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- dubbed 'Clean and Efficient.' The study found that saving energy and increasing the use of wind energy can lead to a reduction in the emission of air polluting compounds as well as greenhouse gases. But it also found 'uncertainties' about the effect of using biofuels. It warned that blending biofuels in diesel or gasoline can create increased emissions of air pollutants and that using blends with high amounts of biofuels requires specially adapted vehicles, to avoid increased air pollution. The study also warned that large-scale capture and storage of carbon dioxide would decrease sulphur dioxide emissions but might lead to increased nitrogen oxide emissions. Both technologies could turn out to have 'an unfavourable effect on air quality,' the study said. 'On top of that, the emission of certain air pollutants could even increase, in some cases.' The study is part of the Dutch Policy Research Program on Air and Climate, a research project running from January 2008 until December 2009 that seeks to identify 'cost-optimal policy packages to reach climate and air quality targets.'"
2008-10-31
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