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

FROM VOLUME 3, NUMBER 2, FEBRUARY 1990

REPORTS...
OF GENERAL INTEREST

Item #d90feb33

Energy Policy in the Greenhouse. Vol. 1. From Warming Fate to Warming Limit: Benchmarks for a Global Climate Convention, F. Krause, W. Bach, J. Koomey, 200 pp., Nov. 1989. International Project for Sustainable Energy Paths (IPSEP), 7627 Leviston Ave., El Cerrito CA 94530 (415-525-4446); $60 (institutions, corporations), $25 (individuals, nonprofit).

An international team established an ecologically based, risk-minimizing limit to global warming, and used this to specify carbon dioxide emission reduction targets for the next several decades. Warming should not exceed 0.1° C per decade, or an absolute rise of 2.5° C above temperatures prior to the start of the industrial revolution (1850). These restrictions limit the emission of carbon between 1985 and 2100 to 300 billion tons. Emission reduction requirements implied by this estimate are adjusted to take into account differences between industrialized and developing countries. The authors argue for leadership by the wealthiest nations, and for linking debt relief with climate-stabilizing forms of development assistance. A wide range of related topics are discussed, such as approaches to agriculture, reforestation and other types of air pollution. A second volume expected this month will address technological and economic options for reducing emissions. (See related articles in NEWS, this Global Climate Change Digest issue--Feb. 1990.)

Item #d90feb34

Reducing Methane Emissions From Livestock: Opportunities and Issues (EPA 400/1-89/002), M.J. Gibbs (ICF Inc., Universal City, Calif.), L. Lewis, J.S. Hoffman, 120 pp., Aug. 1989 (released Nov. 1989). Available from Kathleen Hogan, Global Change Div. (ANR-445), U.S. EPA, Washington DC 20460 (202-382-7750).

The first of a series of analyses being undertaken by EPA on options to control methane emissions, this report represents the consensus of a workshop held in February 1989. Atmospheric methane, which is increasing by about 1% per year, primarily because emissions are increasing, is involved in global warming, tropospheric ozone formation and, possibly, stratospheric ozone depletion. Animals, especially managed ruminants, produce significant methane through their digestive processes--nearly one-fourth of anthropogenic emissions, or 15% of total emissions. A 50% reduction of these emissions would contribute 50% to 75% of the reductions needed to stabilize methane concentrations. Research is needed to better characterize current emissions from ruminants and options for their reduction.

Item #d90feb35

Clearing the Air: A Global Agenda (Worldwatch Paper 94), H.R. French, 54 pp., Jan. 1990. Worldwatch Inst., 1776 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20036; $4 (single copy, bulk prices on request).

Once viewed as an urban problem, air pollution is now recognized to have global dimensions. Because technological solutions have proved inadequate, restoring air quality depends on restructuring the energy, transportation and industrial systems that generate pollutants. Discusses approaches such as removing fuel price subsidies, taxing emissions, improving consumer information concerning products that pollute, and international cooperation.

Item #d90feb36

Du Pont Fiddles While the World Burns: Industry Inaction on Ozone Depletion, Dec. 1989. U.S. Public Interest Research Group, 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington DC 20003; $5.

Issued in cooperation with three other public interest groups, this report maintains that Du Pont and other major U.S. CFC manufacturers have expanded the use of ozone-depleting chemicals in the past 15 years; it questions the industry's sincerity in recently pledging to phase out such substances. For articles on industry response to the report see World Clim. Change Rep., p. 16, Jan. 1990, or Environ. Rptr. Curr. Devel., p. 1433, Dec. 22, 1989.

Item #d90feb37

A Who's Who of Ozone Depleters, D. Doniger, D. Sheiman, Jan. 1990. Natural Resources Defense Council, 40 W. 20th St., New York NY 10011; $35 ($20 members).

Lists 3,014 of the nation's largest emitters of methyl chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and CFC-113, based on data supplied by industry to EPA, and is intended to encourage consumer pressure to eliminate use of these chemicals. The first two account for about one-third of current damage to the ozone layer but are unregulated; the third is subject to only limited restriction under the Montreal Protocol. Also listed are over 200 companies that moved to eliminate or reduce their use.