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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 7, NUMBER 1, JANUARY 1994

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS...

• GENERAL INTEREST AND POLICY

Item #d94jan1

"Insensitivity of Global Warming Potentials to Carbon Dioxide Emission Scenarios," K. Caldeira (Global Clim. Res. Div., Lawrence Livermore Nat. Lab., POB 808, L-256, Livermore CA 94550), J.F. Kasting, Nature, 366(6452), 251-253, Nov. 18, 1993.

The concept of a global warming potential for CO2 is central to developing emissions policy, but has been derived from relatively simplified models of the carbon cycle. Calculations in this paper show that the global warming potential of CO2 is a useful concept despite complexities in the climate system and uncertainties in future emissions.

Item #d94jan2

"Amounts, Dynamics and Sequestering of Carbon in Tropical and Subtropical Soils," W.G. Sombroek (FAO, Via della Terme di Carcalla, 00100 Rome, Italy), F.O. Nachtergaele, A. Hebel, Ambio, 22(7), 417-426, Nov. 1993.

Refines current estimates of organic soil carbon pools using the recent FAO/Unesco Soil Map of the World, emphasizing the role of sound organic-matter management. Explores the possibilities for soil-carbon sequestering to offset climate change, and the possible effects of climate change on the soil-carbon pool. Recent research on the CO2 fertilization effect and the associated antitranspiration effect due to elevated CO2 indicate that a positive influence on soil organic carbon levels is likely.

Item #d94jan3

Four items from World Resour. Rev., 5(4), Dec. 1993:

"Global Warming and Public Health: An Appeal for Coordinated and Early Action," S.T. Hussain (Dept. Anatomy, Coll. Medicine, Howard Univ., Washington, D.C.), R.L. Hayes, 424-429. Policy makers must increase the funding for research and public education on this topic.

"Potential Effects on Health of Global Warming," A. Haines (Univ. Coll. of London Med. Sch., Whittington Hosp., Archway Site, Highgate Hill, London N19 5NF, UK), M. Parry, 430-448. Reviews direct and indirect potential impacts on health, which could strongly influence public perceptions of climate change and hence the degree to which control policies are followed. The difficulty in predicting effects argues for a precautionary approach.

"Global Environmental Issues and Electric Power in the Twenty-First Century," G.M. Hidy (EPRI, POB 10412, Palo Alto CA 94303), D.F. Spencer, 449-468. Examines the tradeoff between the future contributions to human well-being from electricity and the possible benefits of CO2 emissions management. Examines technological options for such management. Aggressive development and demonstration of technologies will insure cost-effective options if they are needed.

"Cost-Effective Control of Long-Run Temperature Change: Tradeable CO2 Permits," R.F. Kosobud (Technol. & Environ. Policy Sect., Argonne Nat. Lab., Argonne IL 60439), D.W. South et al., 488-501. Proposes an "evaporative" marketable CO2 emissions permit system, which could provide the most cost-effective, graduated emissions control.

Item #d94jan4

"The Methyl Bromide Issue," B. Chakrabarti (Central Sci. Lab., London Rd., Slough, Berks SL3 7JH, UK), C.H. Bell, Chem. & Industry, 992-995, Dec. 20, 1993.

Summarizes the extensive uses of this ozone-depleting fumigant, impending changes in its use specified under the Montreal Protocol, and the development of alternative technologies.

Item #d94jan5

"The Effects of NAFTA on the Environment," R.K. Kaufmann (Ctr. Energy & Environ. Studies, Boston Univ., 675 Commonwealth Ave., Boston MA 02215), P. Pauly, J. Sweitzer, The Energy J., 14(3), 217-240, July 1993.

Impacts related to climate change discussed here include the relation between income and carbon emissions, and increased trade and transportation.