Geneva convention and Critical Loads: an example of Science-based Environmental Policy

Air pollution is one of the leading environmental problems of out times that could eventually change the living conditions of human beings and the ecosystems on the whole planet. Therefore, international forums have been created to discuss environmental policies aimed at the control of pollutant emissions and the protection of ecosystems and human health. the fundamental purpose is to take common actions that go beyond political borders, since in many cases the emissions of pollutants affect ecosystems far from the emission source. These were the objectives leading to the creation of the Geneva Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, of the Economic commission for Europe-United Nations (UNECE). (Author) 12 refs.