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 5, NUMBER 11, NOVEMBER 1992

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...
GENERAL INTEREST AND POLICY

Item #d92nov1

Five items from Global Environ. Change, 2(3), Sep. 1992 (Butterworth-Heineman Ltd., publisher):

"Global Warming and Environmental Change in Sub-Saharan Africa," M.H. Glantz (ESIG, NCAR, POB 3000, Boulder CO 80307), 183-204. Reviews the growing number of speculative scenarios about climate change impacts in the region, highlighting conflicting, if not opposing, views. Such scenarios must be used with caution; no single scenario should be used for determining irreversible policy responses.

"Climate Change Management Strategies: Lessons from a Theory of Large-Scale Policy," S.L. Rhodes (ESIG, addr. above), 205-214. Addresses the concept of scale and its relevance to policy, using Schulman's theory of large-scale policy to illuminate prospects and problems of implementing climate change management strategies. Discusses challenges to establishing international support for climate change policies.

"Economic Issues in Global Climate Change," J.A. Tobey (Econ. Res. Serv., USDA, 1301 New York Ave. NW, Washington DC 20005), 215-228. Highlights the critical role of economics in understanding and addressing climate change impacts on society. Many of the necessary basic economic tools exist, but application to climate change requires further research on topics including adaptation of economic systems, the value of information and decision making in the face of uncertainty, and world economic models.

"Global Environmental Degradation and International Resource Transfers," G. Bird (Dept. Econ., Univ. Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH, UK), 229-238. Discusses how the developed countries, as gainers from policies to protect the global environment, can compensate developing countries as losers, and still gain. Examines various proposals for dealing with global environmental problems, and advocates a scheme for international subsidies involving the World Bank.

"Social Decision Making in the Context of Scientific Controversies: The Interplay of Environmental Issues, Technological Conventions and Economic Stakes," O. Godard (CNRS, CIRED, EHESS, 1 rue du 11 Novembre, F-92120 Montrouge, France), 239-249. Deals with the need for new thinking in environmental economics. Using as examples global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion and forest death in Europe, discusses processes that circumscribe possibilities for action. Policy making should emphasize time-sensitive management of the relations among scientific development, the dynamics of mass media interests, rhythms of technological innovation, investment flows and political cycles.

Item #d92nov2

Special section: "Greenhouse Equity," Global Environ. Change, 2(2), June 1992, contains the following opinion pieces relating to the controversy between India's Center for Science and Environment and the World Resources Institute over methods for allocating national greenhouse gas contributions:

"Estimating National Contributions of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The CSE-WRI Controversy," D.R. Ahuja (Dept. Mgmt. Sci., Indian Inst. Sci., Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India), 83-87.

"Should We Drop or Replace the WRI Global Index?" D. Thery, 88-89.

"Throwing Stones in the Greenhouse," M. Redcliff (Wye College, Univ. London, Wye, Kent, TN25 5AH, UK), 90-92.

"`Environmental Colonialism,' Tropical Deforestation and Concerns Other Than Global Warming," H. Brookfield (Div. Soc. & Environ., Australian Nat. Univ., GPO 4, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia, 93-96.

"A Comment on `Global Warming in an Unequal World,'" N.S. Jodha (Intl. Ctr. Integrated Mt. Develop., POB 3226, Katmandu, Nepal), 97-98.

"Comments on `Global Warming in an Unequal World,'" Z. Songqiao (Inst. Geog., Chinese Acad. Aci., Beijing, PRC), 99-100.

Item #d92nov3

Two more items from ibid.:

"Towards a General Method for Analyzing Regional Impacts of Global Change," T. Malone (Dept. Marine Sci., N. Carolina State Univ., Raleigh NC 27695), G. Yohe, 101-110. The effects of global change are likely to be greatest at subnational levels, but the integration of social and environmental science on these levels is a challenge. Describes a pioneering government-sponsored study of climate change in the central U.S., which has incorporated diverse inputs from a range of disciplines and is potentially applicable in developing countries.

"Renewable Resource Systems and Regimes: Key Missing Links in Global Change Studies," K.A. Dahlberg (Dept. Political Sci., Western Michigan Univ., Kalamazoo MI 49008), 128-152. As we move toward a post-fossil-fuel era, societies will become more dependent on renewable approaches. Discusses implications for food and fiber systems and activities such as agriculture, grazing, forestry and fisheries, and the reconceptualization and rethinking needed to restructure current systems.

Item #d92nov4

"Negotiating a Climate Change Convention: The Challenge for Lawyers. Part Two," A. York (Atty. Gen. Off., NYS Dept. Law, Albany, New York), Environ. Law Sect. J. (NYS Bar Assoc.), 12(3), 4-7, Aug. 1992. Discusses the U.S. position in the recent negotiations, as presented by William A. Nitze, formerly of the U.S. Department of State.

Item #d92nov5

"Some Results on the Scientific Problems Related to the Greenhouse Gas Issue," C.C. Wallen (WMO, CP 5, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switz.), Atmosfera, 5(3), 157-168, July 1, 1992.

Points out problems related to the current overemphasis on modeling and observational approaches to studying global climate change. Advises other approaches (statistical, and examination of atmospheric properties other than temperature). It is essential for political reasons to find, as soon as possible, clear evidence that the greenhouse effect is being enhanced, and how it is altering atmospheric circulation.

Item #d92nov6

"Global Climate Warming," C.J. Ecsedy (Fuss & O'Neill Inc., 146 Hartford Rd., Manchester CT 06040), C.G. Murphy, Water Environ. Res., 64(4), 647-653, June 1992. A review with 85 recent references covering global warming trends, climate modeling, feedback mechanisms, ecological and sociological impacts, and policy.

Item #d92nov7

"Energy and the Environmental Challenge towards the 21st Century," G. Kartasasmita (Minister Mines & Energy, Rep. of Indonesia), OPEC Bull., 23(4), 7-10, Apr. 1992; continued ibid., 23(7), 4-7, 21, July-Aug 1992.

An all-embracing approach to environmental problems must respect the needs of developing countries, including those that are energy producers; they must create their own program with an agenda and pace suiting their needs. Discusses the unfairness of a carbon tax, and the need to consider greenhouse gases other than CO₂.

Item #d92nov8

Two items from OPEC Bull., 23(3), Mar. 1992:

"Global Climate Change and the Role of the Oil-Exporting Countries," R. Salman (Deputy Secy. Gen., OPEC, Obere Donaustr. 93, 1020 Vienna, Austria), 7-9. Advocates a cautious approach to framing policies designed to combat the problems allegedly caused by fossil fuels. Particularly disturbing is the concept of a carbon/energy tax, which would result in a net transfer of funds from the developing to the developed countries.

"Need for Global Perspectives on Environmental Issues," F. Birol (Statistics Sect., OPEC Secretariat Data Dept.), N. Guerer, 17-21. Discusses serious conceptual difficulties in the existing literature and studies of global warming, such as concentration on CO₂ emissions, omission of noncommercial energy, and the importance of fuelwood consumption.

Item #d92nov9

"CO₂ Absorption as the Next Environmental Task for Forestry and Agriculture," P. Loets (Husumer Str. 77A, W-2380 Schleswig, Ger.), Berichte über Landwirtschaft, 70(2), 280-287, June 1992. In German.

Discusses a practical approach for creating biomass to absorb atmospheric CO₂ and its basis in the carbon cycle, in terms of agriculture and forestry in Germany. Considers extensions of the concept to other countries in Europe and the rest of the world.

Item #d92nov10

"On Global Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide and Fossil Fuel Combustion," C.W. Garrett (Off. Fossil Energy, U.S. Dept. Energy, Washington DC 20585), Progr. Energy & Combust. Sci., 18(5), 369-407, 1992.

An extensive review with over 200 references. The first part is a primer on the scientific and technical aspects of climate change for those involved in the technical aspects of fossil fuel combustion. The second part discusses economic, demographic and international considerations.