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The article presents an economic examination of the nitrogen cycle as a method for targeting cost-effective points of intervention for reducing nitrogen emissions. Recommendations include adopting technologies similar to those used in reducing carbon dioxide in energy and industrial production.

Industries worldwide produce about 47% of energy related carbon dioxide emissions and substantial amounts of additional greenhouse gases (GHGs) from industrial process gases. GHG emissions were found to be lower compared to mid-1970s levels in most industrialized nations. Despite an increase in GHG emission levels in developing nations, the total global emissions have dropped. Various technical processes responsible for past reductions and future possibilities are presented.

A review on the Bjorn Lomborg's 'The Skeptical Environmentalist' is discussed. It is noted that Lomborg simply dismisses the conclusions of the inter governmental panels of climate change (IPCC) report indicating that significant greenhouse-gas reduction is available for free or at net negative cost.

The EPA has long been criticized for its slowness in responding to problems such as ozone depletion, toxic contamination and acid rain. This failure to act promptly can be traced, in many ways, to the general reluctance of researchers to meak sweeping conclusions without sufficient data. Fortunately, the dangers of such as approach are now being recognized and steps are being taken to ensure that the EPA is not caught flat-footed again, particularly when new environmental management issues crop up as the danger signs of worsening ecological damage are detected., As the articles in this issue of EPA Journal clearly demonstrate, data have become a major commodity in our society. Quantitative information is needed to understand any environmental problem, evaluate [...]