Brussels - Scientific studies carried out by European Commission scientists
and ACCENT network of research scientists concluded that current
international protocols and national legislation designed to reduce air
pollution need to do more if more damage to the climate and environment
because of high ozone concentrations is to be avoided.
But, until this happens, better use of existing technology can help reduce
the harmful effects of such emissions and bring ozone levels into compliance
with current standards.
Researchers have compared the results of 26 models of atmospheric chemistry,
covering the entire global atmosphere, in the study which was published in the journal, Environmental Science & Technology.
The models showed that with no legislation, emissions would increase to
potentially dangerous levels.
Even with the legislation that is in place now, the models showed that
emissions would still increase and the threat to the global eco-system would
rise with them.
The third scenario, examined using the full potential of existing technology
to reduce emissions, showed that better use of technology can reduce air
pollution, as well as lower the impact of global warming by greenhouse gases
not covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
The European Union, North American countries, as well as Japan, have laws
establishing limits for the concentration of ozone in the air and other
countries in Asia and Latin America are putting them in place.
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Related Websites
ACCENT http://www.accent-network.org
Environmental Science & Technology http://pubs.acs.org/journals/esthag
The Joint Research Centre http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) http://unece.org/env/lrtap
and ACCENT network of research scientists concluded that current
international protocols and national legislation designed to reduce air
pollution need to do more if more damage to the climate and environment
because of high ozone concentrations is to be avoided.
But, until this happens, better use of existing technology can help reduce
the harmful effects of such emissions and bring ozone levels into compliance
with current standards.
Researchers have compared the results of 26 models of atmospheric chemistry,
covering the entire global atmosphere, in the study which was published in the journal, Environmental Science & Technology.
The models showed that with no legislation, emissions would increase to
potentially dangerous levels.
Even with the legislation that is in place now, the models showed that
emissions would still increase and the threat to the global eco-system would
rise with them.
The third scenario, examined using the full potential of existing technology
to reduce emissions, showed that better use of technology can reduce air
pollution, as well as lower the impact of global warming by greenhouse gases
not covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
The European Union, North American countries, as well as Japan, have laws
establishing limits for the concentration of ozone in the air and other
countries in Asia and Latin America are putting them in place.
Israel Rafalovich
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Related Websites
ACCENT http://www.accent-network.org
Environmental Science & Technology http://pubs.acs.org/journals/esthag
The Joint Research Centre http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) http://unece.org/env/lrtap