Reducing Traffic at 2008 Olympics Yielded Large Cut in CO2

Jul 27, 2012

CO2 Emissions in Beijing 2007-08

New research shows that levels of carbon monoxide dropped sharply in the Beijing area between 2007 and 2008, due to traffic restrictions imposed because of the 2008 Summer Olympics. Knowing the levels of carbon monoxide allowed the researchers to infer that carbon dioxide emissions also dropped dramatically. The science team used satellite measurements, combined with output from a computer model like that illustrated above, to quantify the amount of reduction in this major greenhouse gas. © UCAR. Illustration by Lex Ivey, based on NCAR data.

Details of the Study:

Title of the Study: “Satellite-based Estimates of Reduced CO and CO2 Emissions due to Traffic Restrictions during the 2008 Beijing Olympics”

Authors: Helen Worden, Yafang Cheng, Gabriele Pfister, Gregory R. Carmichael, Qiang Zhang, David G. Streets, Merritt Deeter, David P. Edwards, John C. Gille, and John R. Worden.

Published in Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 39, L14802, 6 PP., 2012; doi:10.1029/2012GL052395

Check the following link to read/download the Full Study:

http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2012/2012GL052395.shtml

The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) manages the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) under sponsorship by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Source: UCAR.