Remember Acid Rain?

 The acid rain problem of the 1980s was caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from burning fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, which then combined with water and other chemicals in the atmosphere to form sulfuric acid and nitric acid. This acid precipitation caused significant environmental damage to forests, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems.

In response to this problem, many countries, including the United States and European nations, introduced legislation to reduce emissions of SO2 and NOx. The United States, for example, passed the Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990, which included a cap-and-trade program for SO2 emissions.

As a result of these measures, the levels of SO2 and NOx emissions have decreased significantly in many countries since the 1980s. This reduction in emissions has led to a decrease in the amount of acid rain, and the problem is much less severe today than it was in the past. However, some areas still experience acid rain, and ongoing efforts are needed to continue to reduce emissions and protect the environment.