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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 6, NUMBER 2, FEBRUARY 1993

NEWS...
NEWS NOTES

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World forests: The 50 member countries of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), meeting at ITTO headquarters in Yokohama last November, failed to agree on how to regulate world timber trade to help preserve forests when the current agreement expires in March of 1994. Tropical countries want northern forests (such as those in Siberia and Canada) to be included in the new agreement. (See New Scientist, p. 12, Dec. 5 1992; Intl. Environ. Rptr., pp. 780-781, Dec. 2 1992).

Opening of the Siberian taiga to logging by East Asian countries was one of the topics discussed at a World Bank-Finnish Embassy seminar on northern forest management held last May. (See Environ. Sci. Technol., pp. 1892-1893, Oct. 1992)

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Sun Day 1993, a campaign for a sustainable energy future supported by 650 U.S. citizen groups, businesses, government officials and others, has published several documents aimed at the new Clinton Administration. (See Reports.) Formally launched last Earth Day (April 22, 1992), the sponsoring organizations are advocating a national energy policy that would reduce total energy use 10 percent or more, and triple the contribution of renewable energy technologies by the year 2000. Contact Sun Day 1993, 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington DC 20003 (202-546-4996).

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The following news/analysis articles appeared in recent issues of Global Environ. Change Rep. (GECR) and Energy, Econ. & Clim. Change (EECC), published by Cutter Info. Corp., 37 Broadway, Arlington MA 02174 (617-648-1950):

"Emissions Offsets and Joint Implementation: An Update," GECR, pp. 1-3, Jan. 15. The climate convention signed last June credits industrial countries for reducing or offsetting greenhouse gas emissions anywhere in the world ("joint implementation"). Describes progress toward developing criteria for such projects and toward an international clearinghouse for offsets.

"MITI on Climate Policy: The Carrot Looks Better than the Stick," GECR, pp. 1-3, Dec. 18. A new report from the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) outlines 14 Proposals for a New Earth. A carbon tax is not one of them, although other Japanese agencies do favor a tax.

"Natural Gas, Efficiency, Renewables: Allies or Competitors?" EECC, pp. 2-4, Dec. The newly formed Business Council for a Sustainable Energy Future involves businesses related to both fossil fuels (natural gas) and nonfossil energy sources. The group hopes to encourage integrated resource planning, reorient national energy research, and develop a common position on climate policies. (Contact the Council at 1725 K St. NW, S. 509, Washington DC 20006; 202-857-0666).

"U.S. and European Biofuel Incentives Raise Environmental Questions," EECC, pp. 15-16, Nov. Production of liquid fuels from plants is gaining interest in the U.S. and Europe, partly because they are thought to produce less greenhouse emissions. However, the presumed environmental benefits of these biofuels are controversial.

"Green Pricing: It Works for Toothpaste; Will it Work for Electricity?" GECR, pp. 1-3, Oct. 23. Least-cost planning has done little to increase the portion of electricity generated by renewables in the U.S. As an alternative, Southern California Edison and utilities in several other states are considering green pricing. Customers would be offered an optional premium rate for renewable-generated energy. (Similar article in EECC, pp. 6-7, Sep.)

"Truth in Reporting: Verifying Compliance with the Climate Convention," GECR, pp. 1-3. Sep. 23. Several experts comment on the how, who, and problems of verification, based in part on experience with the Montreal Protocol on ozone protection.