Global Challenge Network on Tropospheric Ozone

Many research groups in the UK and beyond are interested in tropospheric ozone (i.e. ozone close to the earth's surface). Ozone concentrations are gradually increasing across the northern hemisphere, because of increased emissions of pollutant precursors from growing industrialisation. Some progress has been made in reducing the severity of summer oxzone 'episodes' through European-scale emission controls, but there are still serious problems for both plant and human health which are likley to get worse with time.
Predictions of the future ozone climate depend upon models of atmospheric transport and chemistry - these can be tested by ground-based measurements, but the vertical structure of ozone concentrations within 1 km of the surface is not well known from measurments. Such measurements are needed to evaluate current models, and to improve model capabilities.
Reliable predictions are needed to assess the effects on vegetation, whether loss of biodiversity in natural systems, or loss of income to farmers because of crop damage. In turn, effects on vegetation lead to economic losses in terms of ecosystem services (what we get from the countryside....food, fuel, water, amenity etc.) and food security. Ozone also affects man-made structures, shortening the lifetime of many plastics, rubbers and paint coatings, and causing damage to art works and our material heritage - ozone can be a problem indoors as well as outdoors.
Ozone also directly affects human health, particularly for vulnerable sections of society with a history of breathing difficulties. Current studies have to rely on measurements made in cities or in the countryside, but rarely matching people's normal patterns of exposure. As for effects on vegetation, there are pressing needs for measurement technologies that are relevant to estimating effects.
Atmospheric measurements range from high-technology laser-based instruments for exploring the vertical structure of ozone in the atmosphere to simple rugged portable instruments that can be deployed to look at spatial and temporal variation in a city, or where people live and work, or where different types of plant grow. Many of the required technologies exist, and can be modified from one use to another, but there has been no joined-up thinking to make sure such knowledge is available across the research communities, or that the requisite technical expertise is available.
At present, the various different communities, with their different expertise and needs, have no forum for sharing ideas and 'wish lists'. This proposed network will bring the disparate research communities together in two face-to-face meetings, the first to share information, ideas and 'wish-lists', and the second for groups to suggest ways of collaboration, new research avenues and acccess to delivering engineering solutions. In addition, a web site will be set up to allow registered participants to access contact details, with a blog to capture comments, new ideas and requests for specific information or collaborative opportunities.
A successful outcome will be realised by transfer of ideas and technologies, the development of new partnerships, and several applications for future research using the UK community expertise effectively across the whole range of interests in which ozone is a key factor.

i. Who (outside the academic community e.g. public, schools, industry, government etc.) might benefit from this network?
The proposed network has communication and engagement at its heart by design. While the immediate beneficiaries will be the participants in the networking activities (workshops, topical meetings and online interaction), including academic researchers, regulatory bodies, small businesses and charities, the outcomes of these activities will have a wider impact, for instance:
- with ozone being of interest for a wide range of groups and stakeholders in society (farmers' interests in crop damage, horticulturists' interest in potential damage to fruit and vegetables, indoor and outdoor ozone concentrations affecting the health of the general population etc.), the proposed website, and social media such as Twitter, Facebook and other established communication pathways, will be essential in broadcasting the outcomes of the network's activities, while at the same time allowing interaction of interested citizens;
- with the increasing availability of small, portable, low-cost monitoring devices, engaging with ongoing activities on citizens' observatories and school/student projects, the direct integration of a wider community will be explored, e.g. through the CEH Schools Liaison Programme.
Many designated partners in the proposed network have ample experience in using these routes for knowledge brokerage and knowledge exchange and are involved in teaching and other knowledge exchange activities. The output of this network will primarily be delivered through grant applications to address the research challenges identified and in scientific publications. However, we are aware of the need for and will communicate concise, specific and targeted information for different stakeholder groups, e.g. policy makers and regulatory bodies or the general public. For this purpose, we will produce fact sheets and policy briefs, which aim at communicating the scientific findings from the network's activities in language that is accessible to a layperson. In addition, we will prepare material for schools and teachers to discuss the challenges of tropospheric ozone and its effects. Key stakeholders are Defra, Environment Agencies (EA, SEPA, NIEA), National Farmers Union, Conservation groups (SNH, JNCC, Natural England), SNIFFER, environmental health practitioners, charities and environmental/health consultants.
The team at CEH coordinating the network, but equally many network partners, have long-standing relationships with the media and experience in effectively communicating through press releases and feature articles in mainstream print and other media

ii. How might they benefit from this?
We will be working in close collaboration with the NERC and STFC business development and knowledge exchange experts to identify those outputs of the network that would benefit from and have a value for exploitation. It is anticipated that the core value, with regard to the topic, will be in the non-commercial realm. However, potential savings (for instance in the field of statutory monitoring or by establishing concepts to reduce ozone impacts on agricultural/horticultural crops and human health) may be identifiable and will, where possible, be quantified. In the domain of human health, improved understanding of the mechanisms how ozone affects health will empower the general public as well as health practictioners to better respond to high ambient ozone levels.
The existing Knowledge Exchange fellowships (in particular those related to Environmental management for food and agriculture), as well as the Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) will provide excellent outreach opportunities to engage with the commercial sector and other relevant stakeholders. We have contacted relevant KE Fellows and the Environmental Sustainability KTN (Anne Miller) and will engage with them e.g. on workshop organisation and dissemination activities.