"Super Pollutant" Emergency Brake Plan: A Reversal Scenario to Delay Global Warming by "Several Years"

【1. Introduction—Where is the Emergency Brake?】

The end of June in Tokyo sees a high of 33 degrees Celsius. Every time I walk through the sweaty streets, I can't help but feel that the methane and black carbon increased by distant oil spills and nearby diesel exhaust contribute to this heat. The June 27, 2025, article on Phys.org, "Super pollutants: The 'emergency brake' to slow global warming," argues that the last braking mechanism left on the runaway train of global warming is these short-lived climate pollutants (super pollutants). While CO₂ remains in the atmosphere for over a hundred years, methane and black carbon disappear from the air in less than a decade.

Due to their short lifespan, stopping emissions can immediately slow the acceleration of warming, acting as an "emergency brake." citeturn1view0 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【2. Definition and Classification—The True Face of Super Pollutants】

The United Nations IPCC Sixth Assessment Report defines SLCPs as gases and aerosols with an atmospheric lifespan of roughly 20 years or less and a high global warming potential (GWP). Notable examples include methane (CH₄), black carbon (BC), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone (O₃). Methane's 20-year factor is said to be 86 times that of CO₂, and black carbon over 1,000 times. These super pollutants are largely anthropogenic, with sources ranging from fossil fuel extraction, agriculture, waste management, diesel vehicles, to biomass burning.  

Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【3. Methane—The Invisible Giant】

Methane is often overlooked in air pollution discussions because it is colorless, odorless, and has low toxicity. However, its greenhouse effect is immense, and it also has an indirect effect by depleting OH radicals and generating tropospheric ozone. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that simply sealing "fugitive gas" from existing oil and gas fields could curb warming by 0.3 degrees by 2030. Advances in satellite monitoring technology have made it possible to identify massive leak points (super emitters) in real-time, increasing the immediacy of policy tools. Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【4. Black Carbon—The Double-Edged Sword of Health Damage and Warming】

Black carbon consists of soot particles that settle in the alveoli as fine particles with a diameter of PM₂.₅ or less, exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Simultaneously, it adheres to snow and ice surfaces, lowering albedo and accelerating glacier melt. Himalayan ice sheet studies have reported that BC-induced melt contributions can exceed 10% in some years. Emissions from urban transport are primarily due to diesel trucks, but firewood cooking and open burning in developing countries cannot be ignored. BC measures offer significant co-benefits for climate and health.  

Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【5. HFCs—The Challenge from Refrigerants】

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), introduced as a result of CFC regulations, do not destroy the ozone layer but have a strong greenhouse effect. The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol aims to reduce HFCs by 85% by 2036. In Asia, where demand for refrigeration and air conditioning is rapidly increasing, transitioning to natural refrigerants and improving system efficiency is urgent. Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【6. Tropospheric Ozone—The Invisible Smog】

Ground-level ozone is a secondary pollutant, generated under strong sunlight using NOx, volatile organic compounds, and methane as materials. It is known to exacerbate bronchitis and asthma when inhaled and significantly reduce crop yields. Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【7. Warming Effects and Timeline—CO₂ Alone is Not Enough】

According to the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, a scenario combining measures for methane and black carbon could reduce temperature rise by up to 0.6 degrees by 2040. citeturn1view0 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【8. Health Impact—Reading the Respiratory Crisis by Numbers】

According to the American Lung Association's "State of the Air 2025," 46% of the U.S. population, or 156 million people, breathe unhealthy air. citeturn2news10 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【9. Medical Costs and Economic Losses—The Shock of 820 Billion Dollars】

Air pollution from fossil fuels and climate disasters in the United States is estimated to cost at least 820 billion dollars annually in healthcare expenses. citeturn3search0 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【10. Current Status of International Policy—Convergence to One Atmosphere】

The six actions proposed in the Phys.org article—raising awareness, strengthening measurement, integrating policies, supporting research, incorporating into national plans, and involving the private sector—are steadily being incorporated into national targets for super pollutants. citeturn1view0 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【11. LCAW2025—The Emergency Brake Driven by Civil Society】

London Climate Action Week 2025 (#LCAW2025) attracted over 700 official events and 45,000 attendees, with an estimated 250 million impressions including online. citeturn4news10 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【12. Corporate Movements—IKEA's Refrigerant Revolution】

Furniture giant IKEA has switched to natural gas refrigerants, reducing HFC emissions by 90%. citeturn1view0 Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【13. Technology and Innovation—From Satellite Observation to Clean Cooking】

Technological and social implementations are accelerating, such as GHGSat's methane observation satellites and clean cooking programs. Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【14. Challenges—Measurement Gaps and Funding Shortages】

In developing countries, measurement networks are sparse, and funding shortages are severe. A hybrid monitoring system and RBF finance are proposed. Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【15. Prospects—From "One Atmosphere" to "Multi-layered Approach"】

The "Atmospheric Commons" concept, which involves collaboration among citizens, businesses, and academia based on data sharing, is gaining attention. Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems. In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【16. Conclusion—A Decade to Challenge Short-lived Gases】

Unless we win the short-term battle of reducing super pollutants alongside CO₂, we are likely to exceed critical thresholds. The timing to pull the emergency brake on the train is "now." Furthermore, the latest academic reports quantify regional differences and the effects of measures, offering prescriptions for non-uniform atmospheric problems.

In high-altitude cities in the Andes of South America, converting household fuel to LPG alone improved PM₂.₅ by an annual average of 15%, and refurbishing brick kilns in Bangladesh resulted in an 80% reduction in black carbon emissions. Additionally, AI-based source inversion analysis integrates satellite data with ground observations, complementing traditional bottom-up inventories. Citizen science sensor networks are also filling the gaps in government monitoring.

【Epilogue—The Story of Action Begins with You】

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