When polluted, air can be a serious health hazard to humans and other living organisms. In addition, concentrations of certain gas emissions may change the global environment with consequent harmful impacts on humans and ecosystems. Growth in human populations and increased rates of resource consumption have produced a rapid increase in air pollution, especially in large urban centers. Fossil fuel energy sources for industries and vehicles and their effluent gases, as well as refrigerant gases, have been major causes of air pollution worldwide. In some world regions, acid precipitation generated by fossil fuel-burning power plants drifts over large distances, killing vegetation and acidifying lakes and streams.
Air quality is a national and global concern.
Non-polluting energy sources and industrial technologies, as well as increased efficiency of energy use, must be advanced at an accelerated and practical pace. Public education and policies should be focused more strongly on the increasing threat of air pollution to life on earth. Science Scientific knowledge is the foundation for sustainability of healthy ecosystems and the renewable natural resources they produce. Since ecosystems are complex and distinct, and their functioning is only partially understood, the need is urgent for science to include a holistic approach to improve ecosystem and resource management and to promote sustainability. Research to bring this about should be interdisciplinary and involve the scientific disciplines most relevant to the issue being studied.