Editing Atmospheric science (section)

== Atmospheric chemistry ==
{{main|Atmospheric chemistry}}
[[File:Atmosphere composition diagram-en.svg|left|thumb|250px|Composition diagram showing the evolution/cycles of various elements in Earth's atmosphere.]]
Atmospheric chemistry is a branch of atmospheric science in which the chemistry of the Earth's atmosphere and that of other planets is studied. It is a multidisciplinary field of research and draws on environmental chemistry, physics, meteorology, computer modeling, oceanography, geology and volcanology and other disciplines. Research is increasingly connected with other areas of study such as climatology.

The composition and chemistry of the atmosphere is of importance for several reasons, but primarily because of the interactions between the atmosphere and living organisms. The composition of the Earth's atmosphere has been changed by human activity and some of these changes are harmful to human health, crops and ecosystems. Examples of problems which have been addressed by atmospheric chemistry include acid rain, photochemical smog and global warming. Atmospheric chemistry seeks to understand the causes of these problems, and by obtaining a theoretical understanding of them, allow possible solutions to be tested and the effects of changes in government policy evaluated. 

Atmospheric chemistry plays a major role in understanding the dynamics of [[climate change]]. More specifically, it is useful in terms of studying the influence of [[Greenhouse gas|greenhouse gases]] like CO2, N2O, and CH4, on Earth's radiative balance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapter 2: Changing State of the Climate System |url=https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/chapter/chapter-2/ |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.ipcc.ch |language=en}}</ref> According to UNEP, CO2 emissions increased to a new record of 57.1 GtCO2e, up 1.3% from the previous year. Previous GHG emissions growth from 2010-2019 averaged only +0.8% yearly, illustrating the dramatic increase in global emissions. Atmospheric chemistry is critical in understanding what contributes to our changing climate. By understanding the chemical composition and emission rates in our atmosphere, researchers are able to trace back emissions back to their sources. About 26% of the 2023 GtCO2e was used for power, 15% for transportation, 11% in industry, 11% in agriculture, etc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Environment |first=U. N. |date=2024-10-17 |title=Emissions Gap Report 2024 {{!}} UNEP - UN Environment Programme |url=https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2024 |access-date=2025-05-28 |website=www.unep.org |language=en}}</ref> In order to successfully reverse the human-driven damage contributing to global climate change, cuts of nearly 42% are needed by 2030 and are to be implementing using government intervention. This is one example of how atmospheric chemistry goes hand-in-hand with social and political policy.