The single most important factor allowing life on Earth is the Atmosphere. Without it, nothing could survive the harsh realities of Space. Yet, we still use the Atmosphere as a dumping ground for our waste creating global and regional problems such as ozone depletion, acid deposition and air pollution of all types.

1. •Atmosphere: NASA  |  Wikipedia  | 
   

2. •Atmospheric Layers Interactive Animation
   

3. •Sunset seen from International Space Station
   

4. •Climate and Earth’s Energy Budget
   

5. •Atmospheric Energy Budget
   

6. •Global Energy Budget [Flash Animation]
   

7. •What’s in the Air: How NOAA Monitors Greenhouse Gases [Video]
   

8. •Coriolis Effect [Flash Animation]
   

9. •Global Wind Circulation [Flash Animation]
   

10. •Hadley Cell [Flash Animation]
    

11. •Hadley Cell - ITCZ - Pressure - Precipitation Flash Animation
    

Ozone Depletion
The Montreal Protocol of 1988 to reduce the production of ozone-depleting chemicals was a landmark of international treaty negotiations , especially for environmental issues. While, to a large extent, it has worked, ozone depletion is still a major atmospheric issue that will persist for decades.

1. •Ozone Depletion:  Wikipedia  |  NatGeo  |  Climate Institute 
   

2. •Ozone Layer’s Future Linked Strongly to Changes in Climate, Study Finds
   

Acid Deposition (aka Acid Rain)
Although largely thought of as an issue of the 1980s and 1990s (especially in Western Europe and North America) acid rain is on the increase where ever industry is on the increase – South and Southeast Asia, for example.

1. •
   

NASA Earth Observatory