United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2003-04-28 monographic deposited born digital 68 p. GA 1.13:GAO-03-25 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25 P0b002ee18037f7cf f:d0325 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25 GAO-03-25 Air pollution Air pollution control Environmental monitoring Environmental policies International agreements International cooperation Economic analysis China Germany India Japan Mexico United Kingdom United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Other Written Product A06672 Solar radiation is absorbed by the earth and is subsequently reemitted. The buildup of carbon dioxide and certain other gases in the earth's atmosphere traps some of that radiation. This is known as the greenhouse effect and is believed to contribute to a warming of the earth's climate. Concerns are growing that, in addition to carbon dioxide and other conventional greenhouse gases, certain air pollutants may affect the climate. GAO was asked to examine (1) the extent of agreement among scientists regarding the effect on the climate of three air pollutants--black carbon (soot), ground-level ozone, and sulfate aerosols--and (2) seven countries' efforts to control these pollutants, trends in these substances in these countries over the past 2 decades, and estimates for the next decade. GAO was also asked to summarize the relationship between economic growth and environmental pollution. The seven countries include four that are economically developed--Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States--and three that are developing--China, India, and Mexico. These countries were chosen because they have large economies with a high potential to emit these pollutants. The two federal agencies asked to comment generally agreed with the information presented in this report. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25.pdf GAO-03-25 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-03-25 Other Written Product GAO-03-25; Climate Change: Information on Three Air Pollutants' Climate Effects and Emissions Trends; Air pollution Air pollution control Environmental monitoring Environmental policies International agreements International cooperation Economic analysis China Germany India Japan Mexico United Kingdom United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change