Air & Climate: conversations about molecules and planets, with humans in between

Abstract

This publication is a collection of conversations with exponents of the first generation of scientists (*), who have disclosed some of the workings of our planet, its atmosphere and climate. They were driven by curiosity and a gradually growing concern that mankind might have a devasting impact on the planet and the life it hosts. Many of these initial concerns; the loss of ozone in the stratosphere, climate change and air pollution did in fact realize and they are now the concerns of policy makers throughout the world and in Europe in particular. The conversations shed light on the interaction between science and society. They show that these interactions happen in many ways and that they are often shaped by the personalities involved.

(*) John Houghton, Paul Crutzen, Anton Eliassen, John Schellnhuber, Veerabathran Ramanathan, James Hansen, Mario Molina, C.S. Kiang