Global Alert: The Ozone Pollution Crisis

Three elements of global change, stress the authors, are 1) depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere, 2) climate warming caused by the build-up of carbon dioxide and 3) increasing concentrations of ozone in the lower atmosphere. The first should be the most readily controllable since it is the only one that involves a chemical entirely made by humans (chlorofluorocarbon). Ozone in the lower atmosphere, long regarded as a regional problem, is increasing two to three times faster than the rising levels of CO; it threatens forests, food crops and our health. Fishman, an atmospheric chemist, and environmental journalist Kalish explain the chemistry of air pollution and the origins of ozone. A significant source is nitrogen oxide emissions from motor vehicles, which serve as a reservoir for ozone; these must be curtailed to solve the ozone problem. The authors discuss weather forecasting and suggest that an early sign of global warming may be the changeability of the weather--more heat and drought, more extremes. They present a plan of action to stem, if not control, the greenhouse effect. This is a fine companion volume to Michael Oppenheimer and Robert Boyle's Dead Heat. Illustrated. (May)