Articles | Volume 23, issue 21
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13613-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-13613-2023
Opinion
 | 
02 Nov 2023
Opinion |  | 02 Nov 2023

Opinion: Establishing a science-into-policy process for tropospheric ozone assessment

Richard G. Derwent, David D. Parrish, and Ian C. Faloona

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Cited articles

Abalos, M., Orbe, C., Kinnison, D. E., Plummer, D., Oman, L. D., Jöckel, P., Morgenstern, O., Garcia, R. R., Zeng, G., Stone, K. A., and Dameris, M.: Future trends in stratosphere-to-troposphere transport in CCMI models, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 6883–6901, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-6883-2020, 2020. 
Arrhenius, S.: On the influence of carbonic acid in the air upon the temperature of the ground, Philos. Mag., 41, 237–276, 1896. 
Birks, J., Calvert, J. G., and Sievers, R.: CHEMRAWN VII, The Chemistry of the Atmosphere: Its Impact on Global Change, Perspectives and Recommendations, IUPAC, ISBN 978-084122 5336, 1992. 
Cardelino, C. A. and Chameides, W. L.: An Observation-Based Model for Analyzing Ozone Precursor Relationships in the Urban Atmosphere, J. Air Waste Manage., 45, 161–180, 1995. 
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Executive editor
Tropospheric ozone is an extremely important atmospheric compound as it oxidises, and thus removes, chemical compounds in the atmosphere. One important source in the troposphere are anthropogenic emissions. At elevated concentrations ozone presents a pollutant that is harmful to human health and ecosystems, and it acts as a short-lived greenhouse gas in the upper troposphere. Based on previously developed community models to describe the spatial and temporal variation of tropospheric ozone, this highly controversially discussed Opinion article proposes the establishment of a conceptual, simplified, but widely accepted tropospheric ozone model to facilitate communication between different communities concerned with different ozone impacts, and between ozone research and policy. This step could pave the way for a coordinated global action to improve air quality standards worldwide in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Short summary
Elevated tropospheric ozone concentrations driven by anthropogenic precursor emissions are a world-wide health and environmental concern; however, this issue lacks a generally accepted understanding of the scientific issues. Here, we briefly outline the elements required to conduct an international assessment process to establish a conceptual model of the underpinning science and motivate international policy forums for regulating ozone production over hemispheric and global scales.
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