Critique

Abstract

The first part of the fifth and final day of Acidic Deposition: Its Nature and Impacts was devoted to a discussion of three questions:(1) What is now known of the nature and impacts of acidic deposition (recognising that effects on materials and buildings were being discussed for the first time in the series of international conferences of which Acidic Deposition was the latest)?(2) Where are the gaps in knowledge perceived to be?(3) Is it necessary to fill some or all of the gaps/are the gaps worth filling?To a significant extent the answers to these questions influence the reactions of the lay public and their political representatives, but it has to be recognised that the politics of acidic deposition have, on occasion, outpaced scientific comprehension largely because of the inability/unwillingness of scientists to communicate. This is a serious weakness, particularly in relation to pollution and other environmental issues where the problems are complex and cannot be conceived in terms of black and white.