Concepedia

Global Air Quality and Pollution

Science · 2003 · 1.2K citations · 36 references

TL;DR

Global air pollution, driven by ozone transport, aerosol emissions, and nitrogen oxide releases—particularly from Asia—has a profound impact on climate, ecosystems, and radiative forcing. The study seeks to promote international mitigation efforts by encouraging participation from both developed and developing countries.

Abstract

The impact of global air pollution on climate and the environment is a new focus in atmospheric science. Intercontinental transport and hemispheric air pollution by ozone jeopardize agricultural and natural ecosystems worldwide and have a strong effect on climate. Aerosols, which are spread globally but have a strong regional imbalance, change global climate through their direct and indirect effects on radiative forcing. In the 1990s, nitrogen oxide emissions from Asia surpassed those from North America and Europe and should continue to exceed them for decades. International initiatives to mitigate global air pollution require participation from both developed and developing countries.