Archives of the
Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999

"Sulfate Aerosol and Climatic Change," R.J. Charlson, T.M.L. Wigley, Scientific American, 270(2), 48-57, Feb. 1994.

Sulfur compounds counteract global warming by reflecting sunlight to space. However, distribution of anthropogenic sulfate aerosols is uneven. Because they are found in specific parts of the Northern Hemisphere, global warming will proceed unabated in the Southern Hemisphere and in rural parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

"Convergent We Stand, Divided We Fall," H. Sharan,New Scientist, 39-40, Apr. 2, 1994.

Looks at the parameters of sustainability: time, consumption and population. The world has 40-50 years to stabilize greenhouse gases before risking irreversible climate change; over-consumption will cause serious instabilities over the next 100 years; population growth is advancing to a point beyond its carrying capacity. The northern and southern nations must take simultaneous actions on all three fronts.

"Mars: The Final Frontier," S. Nadis, ibid., 28-31, Feb. 5, 1994.

Introduces "terraforming," changing a planet's atmosphere to make it fit for humans. On Mars the process would involve factories to produce greenhouse gases, spreading Martian soil over polar caps to reduce reflectance of sunlight, and orbital mirrors to direct sunlight towards the poles. Initial warming would allow release of trapped CO2, creating a positive feedback cycle.

Special issue: Coal Voice (Natl. Coal Assoc., 1130 17th St. NW, Washington DC 20036), 17(1), Winter 1994:

"Earth Worship," C. Adamec, 19-22. Traces the growth of religious environmentalism.

"Understanding the Global Decisionmaker," R. Reinstein, 23-27. Discusses the role of the United Nations in debating and implementing policies regarding climate change.

"A Free Lunch," A. Gerson, 28-29. Explains why international climate treaties could hurt the coal industry.

"The Global Compromise," C. Holmes, 30-33. Reports on the status of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"The Cold Facts on Global Warming," S. Baliunas, 34-35. Points out discrepancies in global warming theory and problems with using the theory as a basis for policy.

Three items in Our Planet (UNEP, POB 30552, Nairobi, Kenya), 6(1), 1994, regarding problems faced by small island nations.

"Power to the Small," G. Lean, 4-5. Reports on the formation of the 36-member Alliance of Small Island States, launched at the Second World Climate Conference in Geneva, and some of its successes.

"Danger in 'Paradise'," S. Ramphal, 6-7. Among the dangers are climate change and sea level rise. Calls on all nations to share the responsibility of moving towards sustainability.

"Insuring Against Disaster," J. Leggatt, 22-23. Small island nations could utilize the insurance-pool scheme proposed by the Alliance of Small Island States. The main greenhouse-gas emitters would pay into an insurance pool, from which claims would be drawn once sea level rise reaches a certain level.

World Climate Review, Winter 1994. (Available at no charge from Dept. Environ. Sci., Univ. Virginia, Charlottesville VA 22903.) Includes "Voluntary Cooling" (pp. 14-16), on the Climate Change Action Plan released by President Clinton and Vice President Gore in October, and "Science by Press Release" (pp. 23-24), on biased and erroneous science reporting by the media .

"Our Fathers' Toxic Sins," W. Stigliani, W. Salomons, New Scientist, 38-42, Dec. 11, 1993.

Changes in temperature and rainfall would affect elemental cycles linked to soil properties. This in turn would alter the way soils and sediments adsorb and release toxic materials.

"Focus on the Coast: Coastal Erosion's Influencing Factors Include Development, Dams, Wells, and Climate Change," D.G. Aubrey, Oceans, 5-9, Summer 1993.

Looks at potential global-change effects on coastal erosion: sea level rise, coastal storms, altered sediment delivery, and destruction of coral reefs. Suggests that guidelines for mitigation be developed by an international body such as the U.N.