Acid Rain

This chapter details the development of the regional air pollution information and simulation model (RAINS) in 1984, a project which has been retrospectively described as one of the highest achievements of IIASA, substantiating East-West collaboration beyond scientific diplomacy. RAINS consisted of three blocs: pollution generation, atmospheric processes, and environmental impact, with further submodels to investigate emissions, long-range transport, and acidification. The model was interactive: a policy maker could select a particular national pathway of energy use, a strategy of pollution control, and environmental impact indicators. On the basis of this information, the computer model simulated the interaction of these three systems, enabling the user to examine the consequences of different alternatives to control acidification.