Climate work mainly concerns the reduction of long-lived greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Now Sweden is investing at that reduce greenhouse air pollution that is short-lived, such as soot and ozone. SMHI is responsible for national coordination of this work.
Now Sweden is investing in the amount of short-lived air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, methane and hydrofluorocarbons, should decrease. SMHI is responsible for coordinating this work.
- Several issues around short-lived substances affecting the climate, so-called SLCF (Short-Lived Climate forced), is near cutting-edge research and SMHI has long had a strong research in both climate and atmospheric environment, "said Joakim Langner, who is responsible at SMHI.
As the name implies, short-lived substances affecting the climate significantly shorter residence time in the atmosphere compared to the long-lived greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. This means that actions against SLCF can quickly provide some protection against climate change.
Fast effect buying time for long-term climate measures
Work SLCF is an important factor in the long-term climate change.
- Taking action against climate SLCF can be protected in the short term, for example by delaying a warm-up in vulnerable areas and globally. This increases the chances that the actions against the long-lived greenhouse gases has an effect, and limiting climate change in the longer term, "explains Joakim.
SMHI Sweden coordinate efforts
The Government has developed a strategy with a number of activities to work with short-lived substances affecting the climate. As an example, runs EPA development of better inventories of soot emissions, and through collaboration with the UN Environment Programme is an action plan for reducing SLCF internationally.
- SMHI has been the national co-ordination role, but many authorities are involved in the work. We are now establishing a coordination with these agencies to follow up on what they can do to contribute to the strategy that the government has developed, "says Joakim.
One part of this collaboration has been to gather information about SLCF on a new website, www.smhi.se / slcf, run by SMHI and the Environmental Protection Agency.
On May 12, 2011, assume Sweden chair of the Arctic Council, which is one of the forums where the issue of action against SLCF will be operated. Prior to this held a workshop to discuss what Sweden, and the Arctic Council, can do to reduce the influence of SLCF on climate and air quality.
Major climate change in Arctic
200 scientists from around the world have been commissioned by the Arctic Council compiled the climate situation in the Arctic. The recently published report, "Impacts of Climate Change on snow, water, ice and permafrost in the Arctic" notes that climate change in the Arctic is much broader and is much faster than was previously thought.
- Soot particles, which falls on snow and ice in Arctic melting accelerates, and is one of the causes of climate change is stronger in the Arctic than the global average warming, "said Joakim and continues:
- According to calculations in the new report, the temperature by 2100 will rise by another 3 to 7 degrees. Such a temperature increase results in severe ice melting and global sea level may thus rise by 0.9 to 1.6 meters by 2100. There is a reason why Sweden considers it important to reduce the amount SLCF in the atmosphere.
Work on a broad front
In addition to work through the website and the Arctic Council, with activities for the reduction of SLCF on several fronts, both within Sweden and internationally.
- The activity around SLCF has increased significantly. Previously it was primarily a research topic, but now, so it's all more about using research findings to practical measures to curb climate change, "said Joakim and continues:
- Shortly SLCF is probably a more familiar concept, as used in discussions on climate change, perhaps as familiar as the word greenhouse gas emissions.
