Acid rain and environmental policy
Various seemingly paradoxical scientific questions are posed which relate to the problem of acid rain and its effect on the environment and environmental policy. The first paradox discussed concerns the supposed increase in fossil fuel usage over the last several decades, with the resultant increases in emissions of pollutants from the combustion of fuels which cause acid rain. Despite these increases, experts do not agree on whether acidity of rain has increased in eastern North America. The second paradox concerns the effect of acid rain on vegetation. If the rain is supposedly harmful, why have some reports shown increases and others, decreases in the growth of crops and trees with the application of simulated acid rain. The third paradox concerns the effect of acid rains on fish life in lakes. If acid rain falls throughout eastern North America, why have some lakes become acid and lost fish populations while others have not. Since unequivocal answers to these scientific questions are not available, a systematic approach is needed for developing policy which can be useful for solving the problem. It appears that traditional cost-benefit analysis can not be the sole basis for decision-making, but that it will be helpful. Research needs must be identified, and the upper and lower limits for alternative strategies must be determined. 14 references, 1 table.
- Research Organization:
- Boyce Thompson Institute, Ithaca NY
- OSTI ID:
- 5960907
- Journal Information:
- J. Air Pollut. Control Assoc.; (United States), Vol. 31:10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ACID RAIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
COMBUSTION
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FISHES
FOSSIL FUELS
INHIBITION
PLANT GROWTH
POLLUTION SOURCES
STIMULATION
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GROWTH
OXIDATION
RAIN
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
VERTEBRATES
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety
560303 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Plants- (-1987)
560305 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology- Vertebrates- (-1987)