emerging problems in the management of atmospheric resources: the role of social science research

Abstract

The emergence of three major problems has given rise to growing public concern about the atmosphere and an increasing desire to manage it like other natural resources. These problems relate to the mounting volume of air pollution, the rising toll of losses due to extreme weather events, and man's increasing ability to modify the weather. Such problems have brought into sharp focus the fact that our knowledge of the human impact of atmospheric variations is still quite limited, and has emphasized the need for a considerable acceleration in research relating to the economic, social, institutional, and ecological aspects of the management of atmospheric resources. This article outlines types of research that are most urgently required in this connection and offers suggestions as to possible means of stimulating an expansion in the present research effort in this field.