Which mitigation strategy demonstrates co-benefits such as improved air quality and health benefits?

• A. Decarbonizing energy, electrification, energy efficiency, methane reduction, afforestation
• B. Methane reduction
• C. Expanding coal use
• D. Ignoring methane emissions

Answer: (B)

Focusing on reducing methane emissions best demonstrates co-benefits for air quality and health because methane is a potent precursor to ground-level ozone, a major air pollutant that harms lungs and can raise heart and respiratory disease risks. Methane also has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime, so cutting it leads to quicker improvements in air quality compared with longer-lived greenhouse gases. Targeting methane sources—such as leaks in fossil fuel systems, solid waste, and certain agricultural practices—yields near-term health benefits while also helping climate goals. Other options may provide climate or environmental benefits, but they don’t yield as direct or rapid air-quality and health gains, and expanding coal use would worsen air pollution while ignoring methane emissions misses those health benefits.