Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
06:27
Measurement of Aerosols Optical Thickness of the Atmosphere using the GLOBE Handheld Sun Photometer
Published on: May 29, 2019
The global atmospheric environment for the next generation.
F Dentener1, D Stevenson, K Ellingsen
1Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, via E. Fermi 1, 1-21020, Ispra, Italy. frank.dentener@jrc.it
Environmental Science & Technology
|June 22, 2006
Summary
Implementing current air quality legislation globally is crucial, as failing to do so will degrade the atmospheric environment. Significant emission reductions offer major benefits for air quality and ecosystems by 2030.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric chemistry and climate science
- Environmental science
- Ecosystem health
Background:
- Air quality, nitrogen deposition, and climate change are interconnected global issues.
- Current air quality legislation and emission reduction potentials are assessed.
- High levels of surface ozone and nitrogen deposition already impact ecosystems worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in the global atmospheric environment between 2000 and 2030.
- To compare the impacts of three emissions scenarios: current legislation (CLE), maximum feasible reductions (MFR), and a pessimistic scenario (IPCC SRES A2).
- To evaluate the effects on surface ozone, nitrogen deposition, and radiative forcing.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 26 state-of-the-art global atmospheric chemistry models.
- Performed ensemble simulations for the years 2000 and 2030.
- Compared model outputs with satellite observations for ozone and NO2.
Main Results:
- Global surface ozone is projected to increase by 2030 under CLE and A2 scenarios, while MFR shows a decrease.
- Climate change is expected to slightly decrease surface ozone.
- Nitrogen deposition above critical loads is projected to increase significantly by 2030, especially under the A2 scenario.
Conclusions:
- Enforcing current air quality legislation is important for mitigating negative environmental impacts.
- Further emission reductions beyond current legislation (MFR scenario) offer substantial benefits for air quality and ecosystems.
- Failure to meet air quality objectives will lead to further degradation of the global atmospheric environment.
Related Concept Videos
01:14The Carbon Cycle
Carbon is the basis of all organic matter on Earth, and is recycled through the ecosystem in two primary processes: one in which carbon is exchanged among living organisms, and one in which carbon is cycled over long periods of time through fossilized organic remains, weathering of rocks, and volcanic activity. Human activities, including increased agricultural practices and the burning of fossil fuels, has greatly affected the balance of the natural carbon cycle.
01:49The Nitrogen Cycle
Nitrogen atoms, present in all proteins and DNA, are recycled between abiotic and biotic components of the ecosystem. However, the primary form of nitrogen on Earth is nitrogen gas, which cannot be used by most animals and plants. Thus, nitrogen gas must first be converted into a usable form by nitrogen-fixing bacteria before it can be cycled through other living organisms. The use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and animal waste products in human agriculture has greatly influenced the...
01:07What is Weather?
Overview
01:16What is Climate?
Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a specific area over an extended period. As the saying goes, “Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.” Climate is influenced by geographic factors, such as latitude, terrain, and proximity to bodies of water.
01:50Global Climate Change
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
01:27Microbes and Climate Change
Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...