Opinion: Establishing a Science-into-Policy Process for Tropospheric Ozone Assessment

Abstract

Abstract. Elevated tropospheric ozone concentrations driven by anthropogenic precursor emissions is an environmental issue scientifically similar to the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer and global climate change; however, the tropospheric ozone issue lacks the generally accepted, international assessment efforts that have greatly informed our understanding of the other two issues. Here we briefly review those successful science-into-policy approaches, and outline the elements required to conduct a similar process for tropospheric ozone, especially for establishing a simplified model of the underpinning science, useful policy metrics and motivating international policy forums for regulating ozone production over the hemispheric and global scales.