Redefining Environmental Engineering and Science: Air and Climate Change

Brief Remarks

John W. Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University Texas State Climatologist

n-g@tamu.edu

EES, according to the oracle:

•  Solid waste management •  Environmental impact assessment and

mitigation •  Water supply and treatment •  Wastewater treatment •  Air pollution management

According to the oracle:

•  Solid waste management •  Environmental impact assessment and

mitigation •  Water supply and treatment •  Wastewater treatment •  Air pollution management

Climate Change Is a…

•  Thing •  Extreme case •  Monkey wrench

Bus

ines

s A

s U

sual

Climate Change and Air Quality

•  Climate affects emissions •  Climate affects meteorology •  Climate change policy affects emissions

Effect of climate-motivated emission cutbacks (West et al. 2013 Nat. Clim. Ch.)

Factors Accelerated reactions to produce O3

Enhanced biogenic emissions O3 destruction via OH

Climate Change Is…

•  A pollutant issue – Source characterization – Remediation

•  An extreme example of non-local impacts – Ecosystem-level impact assessment

•  Changing the baseline – Consequences for environmental contaminants – Challenges for risk assessment