Climate Effects of Cleaner Fossil Fuels?

[Delta Force]

My understanding of climatology is that sulfur elements have a proven cooling effect while there is less certainty around particulate elements (which could have a cooling or warming effect). I'm wondering how changes in energy use since the 1970s might have impacted climate change, particularly with coal and petroleum.

Coal plants at the time produced large amounts of sulfur and particulate pollution because suitable emissions control equipment was not yet developed. Flue gas desulfurization was not commonly used prior to the 1970s and even then it is not used at every facility, even in developed countries.

Petroleum was used for transportation and also power stations due to the known effects of coal emissions, but petroleum produces even more particulate matter than coal and petroleum powered machinery of the time was very inefficient and produced massive quantities of smoke and smog.

I'm wondering if cleaning up coal and petroleum emissions might have changed how energy use impacts the climate over time. While energy use was less efficient in the 1970s, might a "unit" of coal or petroleum energy produced then have had a lessened effect on the climate than a unit produced now? Would any trend like that not have mattered much in the longer term as the sulfur and particulates left the atmosphere (I think they have a lower lifespan than carbon dioxide)?

Also, might there have been climatic effects from the installation of much taller smokestacks on power plants that caused emissions (I'm thinking sulfur and particulates would be most important) to enter higher parts of the atmosphere and disperse more easily than the more localized effects of shorter smokestacks?

 

[Evo]

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[AlexTheParticle]

Thank you for your post. It's great that you're trying to understand the impact of energy use on climate change. You're correct that sulfur and particulate emissions from coal and petroleum have a cooling effect on the climate, while their exact impact on climate change is less certain.

In terms of changes in energy use since the 1970s, it's important to note that there have been significant improvements in emissions control technology for both coal and petroleum. Flue gas desulfurization and other emissions control equipment have become more widespread, reducing the amount of sulfur and particulate emissions from coal plants. Similarly, advancements in transportation technology have led to more efficient use of petroleum, resulting in lower emissions.

It's possible that these improvements in emissions control technology have lessened the impact of energy use on climate change. However, it's also important to consider the overall increase in energy consumption since the 1970s. While a "unit" of coal or petroleum energy may have a reduced impact on the climate, the overall increase in energy consumption means that the total impact on climate change is still significant.

In terms of the lifespan of sulfur and particulates in the atmosphere, they do have a shorter lifespan than carbon dioxide. However, their impact on climate change can still be significant, especially in the short term.

As for the installation of taller smokestacks, this may have had some localized effects on air quality, but the overall impact on climate change is likely minimal. The dispersal of emissions into higher parts of the atmosphere may result in a wider distribution, but the overall amount of emissions remains the same.

In conclusion, while improvements in emissions control technology may have lessened the impact of energy use on climate change, the overall increase in energy consumption means that the impact is still significant. It's important to continue finding ways to reduce emissions from energy production and consumption to mitigate the effects of climate change.