Aiden Jacob
Due to its devastating, broad effects on ecosystems and its transnational nature, acid rain garnered a lot of scientific and public attention at the end of the 20th century. This led to coordinated governmental actions in North America and Europe. These measures dramatically reduced air emissions and had a less detrimental effect on ecosystems, particularly those implemented under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. The policy agreements were developed on the basis of in-depth scientific research, continuous observation, and integrated assessment modelling. In this study, which is based on an international symposium convened to commemorate 50 years of effective integration of air pollution research and policy, we provide a brief summary of the scientific findings that formed the foundation for the evolution of policy. These measures dramatically reduced air emissions and had a less detrimental effect on ecosystems, particularly those implemented under the UNECE Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.