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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 10, OCTOBER 1994

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS... OF GENERAL INTEREST: GENERAL AND POLICY

Item #d94oct1

"Ecological Indicators of Global Climate Change: A Research Framework," D.A. Bella (Dept. Civil Eng., Oregon State Univ., Corvallis OR 97331), R. Jacobs, H. Li, Environ. Mgmt., 18(4), 489-500, July-Aug. 1994.

The U.S. Global Change Research Program is based on a predictive model framework, which is insufficient and could hamper or mislead policy decisions by defining unrealistic expectations for scientific research. The framework calls for predictions that are not likely to be available before irreversible global change occurs. Recommends instead a system response framework, directed toward useful indicators of change rather than precise predictions.

Item #d94oct2

"Assessment of the Impact of Surprises from Climate Science," G.M. Hidy (Electric Power Res. Inst., POB 10412, Palo Alto CA 94303), World Resour. Rev., 6(3), 369-375, Oct. 1994.

One of the major driving forces creating a political response to climate alteration is the anxiety over possible surprises. Summarizes some recent scientific results that are surprising and that suggest the most recent estimates of the consequences of climate change may be quite moderate relative to expectations of a few years ago.

Item #d94oct3

"Natural Disaster Reduction and Global Change," J.P. Bruce (1875 Juno Ave., Ottawa ON K1H 6S6, Can.), Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 75(10), 1831-1835, Oct. 1994.

Discusses three types of global change that affect human and economic loss from natural disasters, including the variability and change in the frequency and severity of natural hazards that could be related to climate change. Reviews data sets that point toward increasing frequency of climatic- and ocean-level extremes, and model projections of a CO2-enriched atmosphere. Human-induced changes in radiative forcing of the climate system are possibly resulting in greater climate extremes; however, this area has received little research attention.

Item #d94oct4

"UNEP/GRID and Global Warming Mitigation," A. Singh (UNEP-GRID, EROS Data Ctr., Sioux Falls SD 57198), World Resour. Rev., 6(3), 416-422, Oct. 1994.

Briefly describes the role of various GRID (Global Resource Information Database) centers, some of the data-set development, and projects carried out within the GRID system related to climate change impact assessment.

Item #d94oct5

"Environmental Auditing: Theory and Applications," D. Thompson (Faculty Environ. Design, Univ. Calgary, 2500 Univ. Dr. NW, Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Can.), M.J. Wilson, Environ. Mgmt., 18(4), 605-615, July-Aug. 1994.

The environmental audit has become a regular part of corporate environmental management in Canada. The first section of this paper looks at the facility level; those audits can be used as bases for regional and national state-of-the-environment reports. The second section looks at a broader picture, discussing the relationship between environmental audits and three other tools: environmental impact assessments, state of the environment reports, and new systems of national accounts.

Item #d94oct6

"A Response to the UK National Programme for CO2 Emissions," I. Fells (Dept. Chem. Eng., Merz Ct., Claremont Rd., Univ. New Castle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK), L. Woolhouse, Energy Policy, 22(8), 666-684, Aug. 1994.

Outlines proposals in the U.K.'s national program, and uses the GEMINI-UK model to identify the likelihood of realizing its aims. The most cost-effective CO2 reduction strategy analyzed would be imposition of a revenue-neutral carbon tax accompanied by an information campaign and selective rebates.

Item #d94oct7

"The Impact of Carbon Taxation on the UK Economy," P. Elkins (Dept. Econ., Birbeck Coll., Univ. London, 7-15 Gresse St., London W1P 1PA, UK), ibid., 22(7), 571-579, July 1994.

Studies indicating that a carbon tax would entail substantial economic cost have not considered the possible positive effects, such as reducing distortionary taxes elsewhere in the economy. When this and other similar factors are given due weight, a carbon tax is more likely to entail economic benefit than cost. The non-environmental efficiency gains and environmental secondary benefits make the tax probably desirable whether or not global warming from CO2 emissions is going to be a substantial future cost.

Item #d94oct8

"Passenger Car Global Warming Potential [GWP]--Current and Projected Levels in the UK," J. Wade (Environ. Change Unit., Univ. Oxford, 1a Mansfield Rd., Oxford OX1 3TB), C. Holman, M. Fergusson, ibid., 22(6), 509-522, June 1994.

Model results indicate that the auto sector may not meet international targets by 2000. Prompt introduction of measures to manage demand and increase trip efficiency is needed. Uncertainties in GWP values are not likely to have a significant impact on the total warming potential of these emissions.