Preserving the Atmosphere

Nothing is more important to the sustenance of life on Earth than the sustainability of the atmosphere. At the beginning of Chapter 7, it was noted that humans have a most intimate relationship with the atmosphere through the air that they breathe. If the atmosphere contains toxic pollutants, human health will be harmed. Toxic substances in the atmosphere may also harm plants and stunt the growth of food crops and forest trees. The atmosphere also plays a vital protective role for the Earth System, defined and discussed in Chapter 1, Section 1.6, especially in regulating Earth s temperature and in filtering out harmful electromagnetic radiation. 

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Soros M.S. (2000). Preserving the atmosphere as a global commons. Environment Change and Security Project Report. The Woodrow Wilson Center, Washington, D.C., 6, 149-155. 

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