This review briefly discusses the mechanism of action of ATF3 and its effects on biological functions and cellular processes, with a special focus on the role of ATF3 in acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis (PF), and with an overall aim to identify new targets for the treatment of inflammatory pulmonary diseases. Here, ATF3 is linked to acute respiratory distress syndrome.