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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 7-8, JULY-AUGUST 1993

NEWS...
NEWS NOTES

Item #d93jul75

U.S. meetings coincide: Two meetings of international interest on global warming science and policy have been scheduled during the first week of April 1994. Although their titles are similar, the San Francisco meeting stresses the communication of scientific progress to policy makers to promote national and international planning. The Phoenix meeting emphasizes more technical topics such as carbon cycling, model evaluation and emission control. Interested individuals should obtain the detailed lists of topics and symposia, and may wish to spend time at both.

Item #d93jul76

Environmental research in the U.S. is uncoordinated and has a limited impact on national policy, according to a report by a National Research Council panel, which recommends solutions. See Reports, and article in Chem. Eng. News, p. 4, May 17 1993.

A 21st Century Earth Award goes to Daniel Kammen at Harvard University's Center for Global Environmental Change, for his role in projects intended to develop and promote improved biomass stoves, solar ovens and other small-scale renewable technologies in developing countries. These can cut fossil fuel use by 50 percent or more, and improved stoves reduce indoor air pollution. The annual award competition is conducted by several Japanese firms in conjunction with the U.N. and other institutions. (Contact Secretariat, 21st-Century Earth Award, 3-1-4-1004, Tsukjii, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104, Japan; fax: 03-3545-9769.)

Item #d93jul77

"The Ozone Backlash," G. Taubes, Science, pp. 1580-1583, June 11. Similar in vein to other recent articles (Global Climate Change Digest, p. 96, June), this discusses how ozone researchers have paradoxically been subjected to pseudoscientific public criticism of their theories and motives, while the evidence for the role of CFCs in ozone depletion has grown stronger. Includes an analysis of the February 1992 press conference in which NASA scientists warned of the potential of severe ozone loss in the Northern Hemisphere within the next decade, then were taken to task by some in the press when it did not materialize that year.

Item #d93jul78

"IPCC Sets Topics to Be Covered in 1995 Report," Global Environ. Change Rep., p. 5, July 22. Summarizes plans for the next scientific assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and other activities of the panel related to the climate convention.

Item #d93jul79

"Skepticism Rises About Meeting [Japan's] Carbon Dioxide Emission Level Goals for 2000," Intl. Environ. Rptr., p. 446, June 16. Government officials are beginning to doubt whether Japan can stabilize CO₂ emissions at 1990 levels by the year 2000. A tougher energy conservation policy or some form of tax may be necessary.

Item #d93jul80

The following feature news/analysis articles have appeared in Global Environ. Change Rep. on pp. 1-3 of the 1993 issues indicated:

"Carbon Offsetting Goes Commercial," July 9. A new firm, Global Warming Alternatives of El Cerrito, California, is selling shares in a wide range of carbon offset projects (such as forestry and energy conservation) to businesses, governments and individuals.

"Clean Coal Technology for Developing Countries: Can the Barriers Be Broken?" June 11. Over half the world's coal supplies are located in developing countries; suitable technology could lead to a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions when this fuel is burned.

"Support Grows for a CO₂ Protocol-But When?" Feb. 12. Assimilates the views of several individuals in the U.S. and abroad that reflect the international enthusiasm for tackling specific agreements on CO₂ control within the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"Criteria for International Offset Projects: A Look at the Issues," Jan. 29. Examines the practical difficulties of joint implementation, whereby countries can claim emission reduction credits for projects carried out elsewhere.