Last Updated:
February 28, 2007

GCRIO Program Overview

Library 
Our extensive collection of documents.

Privacy Policy

Archives of the
Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

FROM VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2, FEBRUARY 1989

REPORTS...
GENERAL AND POLICY

Item #d89feb11

The Impact of Climatic Variability on U.K. Industry (AIR Rep. 1), M.L. Parry, N.J. Read, Eds., 71 pp., 1988. Obtain from Atmos. Impacts Res. (AIR) Grp., Sch. Geog., Univ. Birmingham, POB 363, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK (021-414-5548).

A summary of discussions and recommendations from a December 1987 workshop, sponsored by the British Councils of Economic and Social Research and Natural Environment Research, to encourage more integrated study of impacts on water and energy supplies, construction, transportation and insurance. About a third of the recommendations relate to climate change, the rest to weather variability and severe weather. Because the water industry is especially sensitive to climate change, recommendations include identification of effects on catchment yield and water quality, storm statistics that determine design of drainage and sewage systems, return periods and patterns of rainfall and drought, saline intrusion of aquifers through sea level rise. Also discusses climate change effects on the energy industry. The more integrated approach demanded by these problems should possibly take the form of a national climate program for the U.K.

Item #d89feb12

Predicting Climate Change--An Improved Model of Warming Commitment, I. Mintzer (World Resour. Inst., 1735 New York Ave. NW, Washington DC 20006; 202-638-6300), approx. 60 pp., Fall 1988. Order from WRI Publications, POB 620, Holmes PA 19403; $12.50.

The improved model, based on several component simulation models, better predicts the timing and extent of global warming and ozone depletion. It projects energy demand through a disaggregated end-use analysis, rather than one primarily based on assumed rates of population and GNP growth. The carbon cycle model is more complete, and the expanded atmospheric model can analyze policy options for both global warming and total global ozone. Effects of technological changes on future greenhouse gas emissions can be compared with those of fiscal, tax or trade-pricing policies.

Item #d89feb13

Our Polluted Environment--A Long-Term Perspective, J.G. Speth (World Resources Inst.), approx. 40 pp., Fall 1988. Order at address above; $7.50.

A paper, commissioned by the National Geographic Society for its Centennial Symposium, that examines four long-term trends in pollution including the growing dominance of global effects. Identifies six social and technological transitions needed to reduce pollutants at their sources--the preferred approach--in the coming decades: renewable and efficient energy; new technologies that are less capital- and materials-intensive; technological designs that work with nature; economic policies that do not subsidize waste or undervalue natural assets; international cooperation; and stabilization of world population.

Item #d89feb14

Future Risk: Research Strategies for the 1990s (SAB-EC-88-040), 19 pp. + append., Sep. 1988. Request from Science Advisory Board Office (A101F), U.S. EPA, 401 M St. SW, Washington DC 20460 (202-382-2552).

Summarizes 10 recommendations of the Research Strategies Subcommittee of the U.S. EPA Science Advisory Board (see NEWS, this Global Climate Change Digest issue--Feb. 1989). These include shifting EPA's research focus from end-of-pipe controls to prevention of pollution generation; planning a balanced, long-term research program better suited to anticipating environmental problems; establishing a national environmental research institute by EPA; and doubling its research and development budget. Detailed recommendations are found in five appendices covering research on: sources, transport and fate; exposure assessment; ecological effects; health effects; and risk reduction.

Item #d89feb15

CO₂ and Climatic Change (IEACR/07), I.M. Smith, 52 pp., May 1988. Published By IEA (Internat. Energy Agency) Coal Research, 14-15 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EX, UK (tel. 01-828-4661; fax 01-828-9508); £60. Available in North America from Renouf Pub. Co., 1294 Algoma Rd., Ottawa, Ont. K1B 3W8, Can. (613-741-4333); Can. $150.

Reviews recent developments relating to greenhouse gas warming including emission trends, the limitations and results of models of possible changes, and empirical studies. Concludes that future emissions of gases are a great source of uncertainty, but models and observations suggest a noticeable warming will appear in one or two decades. Improved understanding is necessary for policy decisions. Discusses precautionary measures for abatement and control of CO₂ emissions, such as energy use efficiency and energy source substitution, and recycling, removal, utilization and disposal of CO₂.