The ratification of the Geneva Convention on Transboundary Air Pollution in March of 1983 showed that nations of Eastern and Western Europe were determined to control the problem of acid rain. In the same year, IIASA offered its analytical skills to the international community to help solve the problem. It did so by entering into official cooperation with the UN Economic Commission of Europe (ECE) which is responsible for implementing the convention. As part of this cooperation IIASA is developing a computer model which can be used by decision makers to evaluate policies for controlling the impact of acid rain in Europe. In addition, we hope that our work will help identify gaps in understanding the acid rain problem and stimulate the research necessary to overcome these gaps.
This paper describes the status of the acid rain model after approximately one year's work. It also presents some examples of how the model is used and the type of information it provides
