Man made pollution is a threat for the environment. Fossil fuel burning for transport and in power plants produces nitrogen dioxide NO2 which can cause respiratory problems and is a key ingredient for high ozone levels in the lower atmosphere, in hot summers.
Using data from Envisat's SCIAMACHY instrument, scientists from Heidelberg University (Germany) have compiled a global map of the NO2 pollution, making it possible to establish trends and to discover some surprises about the sources of pollution.
Today's TV Exchange features the global map including close-ups of regional details, together with images recorded last week at Heidelberg University, notably a table-top demonstration how Sciamachy is measuring NO2 in the atmosphere.
The next step for the scientists will be a global map of methane which is the second greenhouse gas derived from human activity. Such information matters not only to understand global climate change but also for politicians to underline the need for action to contain man-made

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