Atmospheric Ozone Research And Its Policy Implications

These proceedings describe the current state-of-the-art of ozone research. A wide range of topics is discussed including: emissions, transport and transformation of precursors of ozone and of ozone itself, the distribution of ozone, the deposition of ozone at the earth's surface, and its effects on man and the environment. Attention is also given to the role of stratospheric ozone and the role of the ultraviolet radiation which is transmitted through the ozone layer. Finally it describes in detail present and future policy measures to reduce the ozone in the lower atmosphere and to protect the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Many of the papers describe recent developments and new research results. Research carried out in both in Europe and in the United States is described, as are the policy measures which are being taken by both European and U.S. governments.

These proceedings describe the current state-of-the-art of ozone research. A wide range of topics is discussed including: emissions, transport and transformation of precursors of ozone and of ozone itself, the distribution of ozone, the deposition of ozone at the earth's surface, and its effects on man and the environment. Attention is also given to the role of stratospheric ozone and the role of the ultraviolet radiation which is transmitted through the ozone layer. Finally it describes in detail present and future policy measures to reduce the ozone in the lower atmosphere and to protect the ozone layer in the stratosphere. Many of the papers describe recent developments and new research results. Research carried out in both in Europe and in the United States is described, as are the policy measures which are being taken by both European and U.S. governments.

Natural and human-induced changes in Earth's interior, land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans affect all aspects of life. Understanding these changes requires a range of observations acquired from land-, sea-, air-, and space-based platforms. To assist NASA, NOAA, and USGS in developing these tools, the NRC was asked to carry out a "decadal strategy" survey of Earth science and applications from space that would develop the key scientific questions on which to focus Earth and environmental observations in the period 2005-2015 and beyond, and present a prioritized list of space programs, missions, and supporting activities to address these questions. This report presents a vision for the Earth science program; an analysis of the existing Earth Observing System and recommendations to help restore its capabilities; an assessment of and recommendations for new observations and missions for the next decade; an examination of and recommendations for effective application of those observations; and an analysis of how best to sustain that observation and applications system.

A balanced assessment based on currently available scientific knowledge of the effects that climate change may have on the environment in Europe and the health of its populations. Written in non-technical language the book responds to growing public and political concern about the consequences of such widely publicized phenomena as global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. The book also responds to evidence that recent warming trends in Europe have already affected health. The book opens with a brief explanation of the causes of climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion followed by an overview of recent European and global initiatives aimed at monitoring trends and assessing their impact on health. The first main chapter on climate change in Europe summarizes currently documented trends and provides a scenario of possible changes throughout the rest of this century. The second and most extensive chapter reviews scientific evidence on specific health consequences. These include effects related to increased episodes of thermal stress and air pollution; changes in foodborne water-related vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases; mortality from floods and other weather extremes; and changes in the production of aeroallergens associated with respiratory disorders including asthma. Chapter three considers health effects linked to stratospheric ozone depletion giving particular attention to adverse effects on the eye and immune system and skin cancer. The remaining chapters discuss health effects expected in the next decade and outline actions urgently needed in the areas of policy monitoring and surveillance and research.

Peter Fabian and Martin Dameris provide a concise yet comprehensive overview of established scientific knowledge about ozone in the atmosphere. They present both ozone changes and trends in the stratosphere, as well as the effects of overabundance in the troposphere including the phenomenon of photosmog. Aspects such as photochemistry, atmospheric dynamics and global ozone distribution as well as various techniques for ozone measurement are treated. The authors outline the various causes for ozone depletion, the effects of ozone pollution and the relation to climate change. The book provides a handy reference guide for researchers active in atmospheric ozone research and a useful introduction for advanced students specializing in this field. Non-specialists interested in this field will also profit from reading the book. Peter Fabian can look back on a life-long active career in ozone research, having first gained international recognition for his measurements of the global distribution of halogenated hydrocarbons. He also pioneered photosmog investigations in the metropolitan areas of Munich, Berlin, Athens and Santiago de Chile, and his KROFEX facility provided controlled ozone fumigation of adult tree canopies for biologists to investigate the effects of ozone increases on forests. Besides having published a broad range of scientific articles, he has also been the author or editor of numerous books. From 2002 to 2005 he served the European Geosciences Union (EGU) as their first and Founding President. Martin Dameris is a prominent atmospheric modeler whose interests include the impacts of all kinds of natural and man-made disturbances on the atmospheric system. His scientific work focuses on the connections between ozone and climate changes. For many years he has been an active contributor to the WMO scientific ozone depletion assessments, which have been used to monitor the depletion and recovery of the ozone layer in accordance with the Montreal Protocol.

Presents proceedings of a workshop organised to review the current science and policy status of five atmospheric issues in Atlantic Canada, to suggest realignments of research and policy priorities, and to strengthen the regional network of scientists and policy makers. The issues addressed were regional acidification, low-level oxidants, stratospheric ozone depletion, hazardous air pollutants, and climatic change. For each issue, the present situation with respect to science and to policy is reviewed and workshop deliberations are presented. The appendix includes abstracts and summaries of poster and verbal presentations related to the five issues.