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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 5, NUMBER 7, JULY 1992

NEWS...
NEWS NOTES

Item #d92jul180

Ozone depletion potentials, a measure of the impact of various chemicals on stratospheric ozone, have been used to develop the Montreal Protocol restrictions based on long-term impacts. A paper by Solomon and Albritton discusses the short-term impacts of CFCs and CFC substitutes and their policy implications. (See their paper in Prof. Pubs./Of Gen. Interest, this issue--July 1992; and discussion of it in Chem. in Britain, p. 498, June 1992.)

Item #d92jul181

State and local policies. The University of Maryland's Center for Global Change is developing a computerized database of state and local laws, bills and policy proposals related to greenhouse gases, as a resource for legislators, regulators, policy makers, advocacy groups and trade associations. (See Cool Tools, Reports/Gen. Interest, this issue--July 1992.)

The Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments (CSG) published a six-page set of 30 recommendations to northeastern states on climate change mitigation, developed since 1990 by its Global Climate Change Task Force. Contact CSG, 5 World Trade Ctr., S. 9241, New York NY 10048 (212-912-0128).

Item #d92jul182

Fax/online news service: Global Warming Network Online Today provides daily executive summaries of world news on climate change. Each day's issue includes three or four items (filling about one fax page; also available by computer transmission), gleaned from news wire services, press releases and other sources. Three other networks (ozone depletion, clean air and alternative energy) are also available, and all can be ordered as monthly printed compilations. Subscription rates for a single network start at $75 per month ($25 for educational institutions), with discounts for additional networks. Contact Environ. Info. Networks Inc., 119 S. Fairfax St., Alexandria VA 22314 (703-683-0774).

Item #d92jul183

Special section: "Global Change," Science, May 22, 1992. Following are three of five articles included:

"Greenhouse Science Survives Skeptics," R.A. Kerr, pp. 1138-1140. A synopsis of attitudes of scientists across the spectrum on the immediacy of the global climate change dilemma, and the implications of uncertainty for policy decisions. Most scientists contacted are leaning toward no-cost or low-cost reductions of greenhouse gas emissions, as insurance against the possibility of serious developments.

"A Technical Fix for the Greenhouse," F.S. Myers, p. 1144. Accompanies a more general article on Japan's bid for global leadership in clean industry; describes Japan's determination to turn CO₂ from a problem into a profit center.

"There's a New Offering on Campus: Global Change 101," A. Gibbons, pp. 1146-1147. Reviews the status of recently established centers for global change in the U.S., and debates over the academic justification for global change degree programs.

Item #d92jul184

"Web of Interactions Makes It Difficult to Untangle Global Warming Data," B. Hileman, Chem. Eng. News, pp. 7-19, Apr. 27, 1992. An extensive review, written at a general level, of recent developments in scientific understanding and accompanying policy trends. Despite the complexities, experts have made progress in approaching a comprehensive understanding of the chaotic climate system.

Item #d92jul185

"Arctic Ozone Levels Predicted to Decrease," P. Zurer, ibid., pp. 27-28, May 18. Gives findings from last winter's Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition. NASA scientist Robert Watson says the findings call for stronger controls on anthropogenic chlorine and bromine, and the need to regulate the fumigant methyl bromide must be determined.

Item #d92jul186

"Poll Finds Environmental Concern," Sci. News, p. 365, May 30, 1992. A survey of over 22,000 citizens in 22 countries indicates they see environmental ills as a serious problem, but contradicts the widespread view that only rich nations are concerned about the environment. People in developing nations blamed developed and developing countries equally, while those in 5 of the 11 richest countries blamed industrialized countries.

Item #d92jul187

"Canada Begins Issuing Daily UV Advisories," Global Environ. Change Rep., p. 7, June 11, 1992. The environment and health ministries are providing clear-sky ultraviolet-B radiation levels for major population centers and holiday destinations, for dissemination through regular weather broadcasts.

Item #d92jul188

"AES Offers Consultant/Broker Services for CO₂ Offsets," ibid., p. 7, May 22. American Energy Services, which has the policy of offsetting the CO₂ emissions from every power plant it builds, will help utilities and others based on its experience. Contact Sheryl Sturges, AES Corp., 1001 N. 19th St., 20th Fl., Arlington VA 22209 (703-522-1315).

Item #d92jul189

From Energy, Econ. & Clim. Change, Apr. 1992 (Cutter Info. Corp., 37 Broadway, Arlington MA 02174; 617-648-8700). The articles list sources and further reading.

"Golden Carrots and Super-Efficient Refrigerators," pp. 2-4. North American utilities have pooled to offer a $30-million incentive to the refrigerator manufacturer that can deploy over a quarter-million "super-efficient," CFC-free refrigerators between 1994 and 1997.

"Natural Gas Emissions from Eastern Europe and the CIS," pp. 4-8. Reviews the largely anecdotal but worrying evidence for excessive methane emissions from gas distribution systems in the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the prospects for determining this potentially important source of greenhouse gases in the near future.