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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 3, MARCH 1990

PERIODICALS...

Item #d90mar51

"What Drives Glacial Cycles?" W.S. Broecker, G.H. Denton, Sci. Amer., 262(1), 48-56, Jan. 1990.

Proposes an extension to the existing view that glacial cycles are driven by astronomical factors: slow, cyclic changes in the eccentricity of the earth's orbit and in the tilt and orientation of its spin axis. There is now evidence that transitions between glacial and interglacial conditions represent jumps between two stable but very different modes of ocean-atmosphere operation. Discusses how changes in seasonality could link astronomical factors with glacial transitions. If the global climate system has such quantized states, astronomical forcing, acting mainly in the high northern latitudes, could transform climate worldwide.

Item #d90mar52

"Managing for Biodiversity," W.E. Westman, BioSci., 40(1), 26-33, Jan. 1990.

The arrival of exotic species to public parklands will be a more common event in the future if the projected climate changes due to the greenhouse effect come to pass. This challenges existing policies on biodiversity that will result in maintaining species no longer suited to the climate of the areas.

Item #d90mar53

E Magazine, 1(1), Jan./Feb. 1990. (A new publication of Earth Action Network Inc., 28 Knight St., Norwalk CT 06851; 203-854-5559).

"Styrofoam Wars: Stamping Out Toxic Food Packaging," p. 24. The McToxics Campaign to eliminate styrofoam packaging from MacDonald's restaurants encourages continual citizen participation to win this battle. For additional information contact: Citizen's Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste, POB 926, Arlington VA 22216.

"George Bush, the Environmentalist? The President's Report Card," R. Cahn, P. Cahn, pp. 26-29. Reaction by most environmental leaders to the Bush presidency so far is one of disappointment, rather than the harsh criticism heard during the Reagan years. Bush has called for elimination of CFCs and urged slight improvement in fuel efficiency standards, but policy has not responded to environmental groups' recommendations.

Item #d90mar54

"Wildlands: Balancing Conversion with Conservation in World Bank Projects," R. Goodland, G. Ledec, Environ., 31(9), 7-11, 27-30, 1989.

The authors, who are affiliated with the World Bank, conclude that the agency has slowly adjusted its policies to incorporate environmental guidelines and wildland conservation measures in the projects it finances. Specific loan conditions encourage effective wildland management.

Item #d90mar55

"The Global Warming Panic," W.T. Brookes, Forbes, 144(14), 96-102, Dec. 25, 1989.

Evidence from leading climatologists suggests global warming is highly unlikely. Yet, public choice drives Washington policy, not economic or scientific facts. Under a global warming scenario, the U.S. EPA would become the most powerful government agency on earth.

Item #d90mar56

"Envisaged Climate Changes Could Kill Boreal Forests," Options, 8-9, Sep. 1989. (Intl. Inst. Applied Systems Analysis, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria.)

Dr. Solomon (Leader of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Biosphere Program) gave testimony at an F.R.G. commission inquiry to boreal forest dieback resulting from global warming. Actions should aim at slowing the rate of CO₂ emissions to reduce the pace of climate change. Research is needed to learn whether increased CO₂ concentrations will change the growth and vigor of trees. More modeling is needed to establish possible responses to climatic changes.

Item #d90mar57

"Cooling Our Baking Cities," G. Moll, Amer. For., 95(9/10), 21-24, Sep./Oct. 1989.

New research is showing how greenery can cool our cities, save energy and make life better for the occupants.

Item #d90mar58

"A Hero for the Greens?" F. Pearce, New Sci., 63-63, Sep. 23, 1989.

Presents an overview of James Lovelock's living earth (Gaia) hypothesis, and his position on the environmental issues of ozone pollution, acid rain and nuclear power. Explains his reasoning for approaches that differ from the Green outlook.

Item #d90mar59

"An Expedition to Earth," H. Gavaghan, New Sci., 36, July 29, 1989.

The 1989 economic summit in Paris demonstrated that political leaders are increasingly concerned with the need to support research on climate change and its prediction. International programs to gather necessary data by remote sensing from satellites is becoming known as a "Mission to Planet Earth." Explains efforts to integrate global data collection and monitoring of processes in the earth's inner core, oceans, biosphere and atmosphere.