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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 7, JULY 1991

REPORTS...
OF GENERAL INTEREST

Item #d91jul75

Policy Options for Stabilizing Climate, Report to Congress, D. Lashof, D. Tirpak, Eds., Dec. 1990 (released June 1991). Main Report (21P-2003.1), 495 pp. (includes Exec. Summary); Executive Summary (21P-2003.2), 50 pp.; Technical Appendices (21P-2003.3). Request from Clim. Change Div. (PM-221), Off. Policy, Planning & Eval., U.S. EPA, Washington DC 20460.

(See News, this Global Climate Change Digest issue--July 1991.) While much of this report's discussion cites information derived from U.S. experience, the discussion of emissions, potential response options, and their implications is from a global perspective. Examines a wide range of policy choices with the technical potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An effective strategy will require a variety of policies. Options geared toward increasing energy efficiency, accelerating research and development, and reversing deforestation would be consistent with other economic, developmental, environmental and social goals in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This analysis did not attempt to determine the economic feasibilities, costs, benefits and other social and economic implications of proposed actions. Decisions on the timing of U.S. policy responses should be based on these factors, the additional commitment to warming caused by delaying action, and the role that U.S. leadership could play in promoting international cooperation in limiting climatic change.

Item #d91jul76

Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming: Report of the Mitigation Panel (prepublication manuscript), 500 pp., June 1991. National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington DC 20418 (800-624-6242 or 202-334-3313); $35 + $3 shipping.

The 20-member panel devised a method for ranking potential mitigation options by cost effectiveness, enabling policy makers to select options applicable to virtually any greenhouse scenario, from mild warming to major climatic disruptions. Current knowledge warrants only the implementation of low- and no-cost options. Recommended options that could reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 10-40% from the 1990 level include: conservation and energy-efficient improvements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings; improved motor vehicle efficiency; aggressive phaseout of CFCs; reduced global deforestation and reforestation of marginal lands in the U.S.; improved design and operation of electricity generating systems.