Health Benefits of Improved Air Quality from Climate Change Mitigation
Author Information
Author(s): Michelle L Bell, Devra L Davis, Luis A Cifuentes, Alan J Krupnick, Richard D Morgenstern, George D Thurston
Hypothesis
Can greenhouse gas mitigation policies provide ancillary health benefits through improved air quality?
Conclusion
The study concludes that greenhouse gas mitigation strategies can lead to significant short-term public health and economic benefits due to improved air quality.
Supporting Evidence
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can also lower harmful air pollutants.
- Health benefits from improved air quality can occur in the short-term, while climate change benefits may take longer to realize.
- Many studies show significant health benefits from reducing air pollution linked to greenhouse gas policies.
Takeaway
If we reduce greenhouse gases, we can also make the air cleaner, which helps people stay healthy and saves money.
Methodology
The study reviews existing evidence on health benefits from improved air quality due to greenhouse gas mitigation and evaluates various methods for estimating these benefits.
Limitations
The study notes that many health and economic endpoints remain unquantified, leading to potential underestimation of benefits.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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