Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) on Thursday would target short-term “super pollutants” that have a greater impact on climate change than carbon dioxide.
A federal task force would be established to coordinate and maximize existing governmental efforts to cut super pollutants – like black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons and methane – under the Super Pollutant Emissions Reduction (SUPER) Act. Curbelo introduced the bill with bipartisan support from U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA).
Super pollutants can cause up to 2,000 times more global warming per ton over a 25- to 100-year period than carbon dioxide. Cutting short-term super pollutants would avoid 0.6 degrees Celsius of warming by 2050, about five times more than aggressive carbon dioxide reductions, according to the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development.
“While the focus is always on carbon, we need a full picture of all emissions that diminish our ozone, impact our climate, and accelerate sea level rise,” Curbelo, a co-founder of the Climate Solutions Caucus, said. “This task force would be a significant first step to ensuring that our nation has all the information needed to accurately protect our environment from these pollutants.”
The SUPER Act, Peters said, demonstrates growing bipartisan will in Congress to act on climate.
“Existing technologies have been proven effective at reducing these potent gases,” Peters said. “By coordinating efforts across multiple levels of government, the SUPER Act would help make the U.S. federal government a leader in reducing these pollutants and keeping our air and water clean.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) was among the original cosponsors of the SUPER Act.