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 4, NUMBER 8, AUGUST 1991

NEWS...
NEWS NOTES

Item #d91aug54

National Policy Summaries. The Environmental and Energy Study Institute has published an 18-page report summarizing actions as of May 1991 by the 24 members of the OECD and the European Community, drawn from a variety of primary and secondary sources. Order for $10 from EESI, 122 C St. NW, S. 700, Washington DC 20001 (202-628-1400). Through its International Energy Agency, the OECD itself has prepared a similar summary, Climate Change Policy Initiatives: Update, available at present only to governments and some organizations. Inquire with Energy & Environ. Task Force (Bureau 3057), IEA, 2 rue A. Pascal, 75775 Paris Cedex 16, France. For a summary of national carbon tax policies see Global Environ. Change Rep., pp. 1-3, June 21, 1991.

Item #d91aug55

The Mount Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines, possibly the largest volcanic eruption of the century, emitted huge amounts of sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere. The resulting sulfuric acid aerosol droplets could cool global temperature by roughly one degree for a year or more, confounding attempts to detect any greenhouse warming signal that may exist. Atmospheric chemists are also concerned that the aerosol could contribute to the ozone destruction already being caused by chlorine compounds. See Science, p. 1780, June 28, 1991; Sci. News, p. 7, July 6; Global Environ. Change Rep., pp. 4-5, July 3. "Extent of Pinatubo Probed" (Eos, p. 347, Aug. 13) describes data collection by satellite, airborne and ground-based instruments.

Item #d91aug56

CFC Substitute Toxicity: HCFC-23, one of the leading CFC substitutes, has been found to produce benign tumors in rats after long-term exposure. While not preventing its use, this may impede its introduction. The preliminary toxicology results come from tests conducted by an international consortium of CFC producers. Du Pont continues to use and produce HCFC-23, while two other U.S. manufacturers have halted production or preparation for production. See Chem. Eng. News, pp. 21-25, July 22, 1991; Nature, p. 98, July 11.