An international research team led by PolyU scholars has published a ground-breaking perspective study in the prestigious journal One Earth. The study focuses on combating ground-level ozone pollution, a pressing environmental issue affecting human health, crop yields, and global climate change.
The team, comprising 30 scholars from 10 countries, proposes a synergistic control approach between ozone and climate to address the challenges of rising tropospheric ozone levels. Prof. GUO Hai from the Research Institute for Sustainable Urban Development (RISUD) is one of the corresponding authors, and Prof. WANG Tao, also from RISUD, is one of the co-authors.
This research highlights the alarming increase in warm-season ozone pollution over the past decade. Key regions, including mainland China, the United States, and Europe, have experienced significant rises in ozone, posing challenges in pollution control due to changing emissions and the influence of climate warming. The study emphasises the need for a comprehensive strategy that integrates ozone and climate control, prioritising both human and ecosystem health. By connecting emissions, mechanisms and policies, this approach offers a remarkable solution to mitigate ozone pollution while fostering international collaboration for a low-carbon future.
