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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 4, NUMBER 1, JANUARY 1991

NEWS...
NEWS NOTES

Greenhouse Policy in Germany

Item #d91jan118

"German Panel Reveals Four-Part Plan to Slow Predicted Pace of Global Warming," Intl. Environ. Rptr., p. 465, Nov. 7, 1990. The parliamentary Enquete Kommission, composed of members of Parliament and scientists, released its plan to coincide with the Second World Climate Conference. It calls for economically strong industrialized countries (including Germany) to cut CO₂ emissions 30 percent by the year 2005, 50 percent by 2020, and 80 percent by 2050. Developing countries would be allowed an increase of 50 percent by 2005, 60 percent by 2020 and 70 percent by 2050. Reduction of emissions of other greenhouse gases and of tropical forest destruction was also addressed.

Item #d91jan119

"Green Party Criticizes Level, Method Agreed to by Government on CO₂ Emissions," ibid., p. 513, Dec. 5. The Conservative Bonn government agreed Nov. 7 to seek emission reductions of only 25 percent, below the level sought by the Enquete Kommission and the German Green Party. The Green Party also prefers a primary energy tax as opposed to a carbon tax, which would exclude the nuclear industry.

Item #d91jan120

Changes in the NASA space program were recommended by a review panel in a report released December 10, 1990. The changes include scaling down the space station program, allowing greater emphasis on global change research. (See New York Times, p. A1, Dec. 11, 1990.)

Halon and CFC Substitutes

Item #d91jan121

"Halon Alternatives Nearly Ready for Commercial Sale," Greenhouse Effect Rep., p. 111, Dec. 4, 1990. Great Lakes Chemical Corp. has received U.S. EPA approval to manufacture and sell bromodifluoromethane, an interim substitute with lower ozone depletion potential than currently used halons.

Item #d91jan122

"Chemical Companies, DOE Fund Study on Global Warming, Energy Efficiency," ibid., p. 113. The world's 12 major chemical companies and the U.S. Department of Energy will conduct an international study on the potential contribution of CFC alternatives to climatic change. Evaluated will be relative performance, subsequent carbon dioxide emissions, and net global warming potential.

Item #d91jan123

"Substitutes for Halons: No One Chemical Suitable," C. Hogue, Intl. Environ. Rptr., 493-495, Nov. 21, 1990. Development of fully ozone-safe substitutes will take about 11 years. Discusses prospective and interim substitutes, problems faced by industry, and arguments for a quick phase-out.

Item #d91jan124

"Fire-Snuffing Halons Hard to Replace," R. Dagini, Chem. Eng. News, pp. 33-34, Sep. 17, 1990.

Item #d91jan125

"Global Legislators Discuss New Environmental Proposals, " Greenhouse Effect Rep., p. 103, Nov. 20, 1990. Members of Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment (GLOBE) from Japan, Europe and the U.S. agreed at a November meeting on strict environmental legislation to be introduced into their respective legislative bodies. Climate change provisions called for reduction of energy consumption through conservation and alternative technology, and reduced fossil fuel use.

Item #d91jan126

"US on Track for Stabilization," C. Anderson, Nature, p. 4, Nov. 1, 1990. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a study showing that existing policies, such as regulations governing solid waste landfills, will have sufficient impact on greenhouse gas production to counteract expected increases in carbon dioxide emissions by the year 2000.

Item #d91jan127

"Japan Sees Gold in Warming," D. Swinbanks, Nature, p. 703, Oct. 25, 1990. Over 60 major companies covering a wide range of industries have agreed to contribute $400 million to establish a Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth. Due to open in 1992 at Kansai science city near Osaka with generous government support as well, the institute will develop CFC substitutes, methods for reducing, absorbing or using carbon dioxide emissions, and other environmental technologies.

Item #d91jan128

"Save the Coasts," New Scientist, p. 26, Sep. 22, 1990. Britain's National Rivers Authority confirmed that all coastal defenses built to protect East Anglia from flooding will be designed on the assumption that global warming is accelerating sea level rise.

Item #d91jan129

"CEC Crash Program Analyzing Policy Options for CO₂ Reduction" and "Global Warming Potential of Greenhouse Gases Compared," IEA ETSAP News, Dec. 1990. This four-page newsletter on activities of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Energy Technology Systems Analysis Program (ETSAP) gives brief descriptions and references on current projects. Contact project head Tom Kram in ESC/Global Issues at the operating agent for ETSAP/Annex IV: Netherlands Energy Research Foundation, POB 1, 1755 ZG Petten, Neth. (tel: +31-2246-4347; fax: +31-2246-3338); or newsletter editor Douglas Hill, 15 Anthony Ct., Huntington NY 11743 (516-421-5544).