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Dimitrov et al. argue that nonregimes are a worthy object of research attention that can contribute to international regime theory. Case studies, however, are still sparse. In this article, I examine Arctic haze, an issue area where a transnational environmental problem existed but no regime formed. Arctic haze was (re‐)discovered in 1971 but by 2000, the window of opportunity to form a regime had closed. What factors explain why an Arctic haze regime was not formed between 1971 and 2000? I claim science‐based factors play the dominant role. An analytical approach applicable to the science‐policy interface was employed. Using this approach, I conclude that the Arctic haze nonregime is best explained by the absence of scientifically documented and compelling transboundary consequences to ecosystems and humans. This is a product of the unique nature of the Arctic atmosphere.

I begin with this paper a history of science and policy related to intercontinental transport of air pollution, starting with long-range atmospheric transport of dust from the pre-1800s to 1967. Dust is spotlighted because it was the first trace substance ('pollutant') recognised to travel intercontinental and global distances and because long-range transport in some locations of the world was eventually seen to be associated with large-scale environmental problems. Based on data gathered from primary and secondary written source materials, I conclude that, relative to sustainability, the outstanding achievement between 1800 and 1967 was development of an Earth-spanning conceptual structure that fused scientific knowledge, environmental ethics and options for political action, what I call a dust-related 'Earth system problem-framework'. Specifically, scientists outlined a world dust-system framework with a land ethic at its core. The arduous path to this accomplishment highlights the large-scale, long-term, multidisciplinary effort required to create holistic, whole-Earth conceptual structures for global environment governance.

Are scientific or nonscientific factors most influential in initiating international cooperation on newly emerging transboundary environmental problems in the Asia and Pacific region? In a case study of long-range atmospheric transport of dust, which is linked to desertification in China and Mongolia, the relative influence of scientific versus nonscientific factors in promoting cooperation in the region is analyzed. The study examines two dimensions of the problem—Northeast Asia and North America—and demonstrates that similar to the distance-dependence of the problem (i.e., dust concentrations decrease the greater the distance from the sources), cooperation follows a parallel relationship (i.e., motivation to cooperate decreases the greater the distance from the sources). Scientific cooperation in Northeast Asia is being institutionalized, but North America has not joined this effort. A synergy between factors must be invoked to explain this situation. In both cases, obvious and often dramatic negative impacts of massive dust storms are an enabling factor allowing more subtle science-related factors to come to the fore.