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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
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FROM VOLUME 5, NUMBER 10, OCTOBER 1992

NEWS...
RESEARCH NEWS

Item #d92oct124

Greenhouse thermostat challenged: Ramanathan and Collins have proposed that cirrus clouds act to keep sea surface temperatures from rising above 32° C, a mechanism that could limit greenhouse warming. However, a recent study using satellite data leads others to conclude that no such "thermostat" mechanism exists. See papers in Nature, July 30, 1992 (listed in Prof. Pub./Gen. Int.--Science, this GCCD issue--Oct. 1992). An article in Science News (p. 69, Aug. 1) discusses the continuing debate.

Item #d92oct125

Elevated Antarctic UV: Measurements under the 1990 ozone hole show that biologically damaging ultraviolet radiation was elevated to several times its normal value. See Stamnes paper in Prof. Pub./Gen. Int.--Science, this GCCD issue--Oct. 1992; an article in New Scientist (p. 17, July 18) discusses the implications.

Item #d92oct126

New developments on the carbon budget are presented in four articles in the August 27, 1992, issue of Nature. (See Prof. Pub./Global Carbon Budget, this GCCD issue--Oct. 1992.) One of them, by Keeling and Shertz, shows that declining levels of atmospheric oxygen may be a key to sorting out the fate of fossil fuel CO₂. The papers are discussed in New Scientist, p. 16, Sep. 12.

Item #d92oct127

UK social science research: The Global Environmental Change Program of the UK's ESRC (Economic and Social Research Council), launched in 1991, now has a newsletter. The initial eight-page issue describes research teams and projects, a data network, fellowships, workshops and publications. To receive the three issues per year or to submit information contact Alister Scott, Environment Section, Wye College, Wye, Kent, TN25 5AH, UK (tel: 0233-812401).

Item #d92oct128

Forest sector carbon budgets will be studied as part of the NCASI (Nat. Council of the Paper Industry for Air & Stream Improvement) Global Change Program. Collaborators are being sought for the analysis, which will cover current carbon storage and cycling, and mitigation strategies. Contact Eric Vance, NCASI, POB 141020, Gainesville FL 32614 (904-377-4708, ext. 228).

Item #d92oct129

Global ocean monitoring: The framework for a Global Ocean Observing System is being established, finally making ocean monitoring the possibility many oceanographers have sought. The program is an initiative of the International Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, in cooperation with WMO and UNEP. See Eos, pp. 370-371, Sep. 1, 1992.

Item #d92oct130

"Coffins Lift the Lid on Atmospheric Change," S. Adkins, New Scientist, p. 7, Aug. 29, 1992. Scientists will try to determine the composition of air in the 1680s by carefully analyzing the contents of three sealed lead coffins that were discovered in the graveyard of a colonial church in Maryland in 1989.

Item #d92oct131

"Where is EOS Headed?" L.T. Simarski, Eos, pp. 345-346, Aug. 18, 1992. Discusses scientists' concerns about whether NASA's Earth Observing System can keep absorbing funding cuts and remain viable.

Item #d92oct132

"Researchers See Obstacles in Using Spy Data," T. Watson, Nature, p. 178, July 16, 1992. Now that the military has begun to release some of its previously classified data for environmental research, many scientists are questioning the usefulness of the observations.