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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
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FROM VOLUME 10, NUMBER 12, DECEMBER 1997

NEWS...
RESEARCH NEWS

Item #d97dec71

Precipitation trend: Analysis of a new precipitation data set shows that since 1900 the continents have grown wetter as the tropics have dried out, a pattern consistent with predictions of climate models. (See Dai et al., Prof. Pubs./Anthropogenic Influence Detection, this issue—Dec. 1997, and Science News, p. 341, Nov. 29.)

Item #d97dec72

Arctic warming: The most comprehensive analysis yet of Arctic temperatures over the past four years is reported in Nature (p. 1251, Nov. 14, 1997). It reveals strong natural cycles, but warming after about 1920 is likely related to increasing greenhouse gases. (See Overpeck article in Prof. Pubs./Gen. Interest & Policy, this issue—Dec. 1997, and New Scientist, p. 14, Nov. 22. This paper and some other paleostudies are discussed in "From Under the Sea, Signs of Climate Jolts," W.K. Stevens, The New York Times, Nov. 18.)

Item #d97dec73

Frog deformities observed recently in Minnesota are caused by some agent in the water and are not likely to be caused by UV-B radiation or parasitic infections, conclude researchers at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (See Environ. Sci. & Technol., p. 552A, Dec. 1997.)

Item #d97dec74

Impact assessments: A Consortium for the Application of Climate Impact Assessments (ACACIA) was recently formed as an "interpreter" that will provide climate information in forms that have practical use and significance for specific groups. ACACIA will reformulate questions asked by sponsors as hypotheses that scientists can test, and interpret the results appropriately. Sponsers include the electric power industry research institutes of the U.S. and Japan, and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. Contact Tom Wigley at NCAR, POB 3000, Boulder CO 80307.

Item #d97dec75

Volcanoes and sea level: New evidence from deep-sea sediment cores relates volcanic eruptions to sea level change. Will sea level rise from global warming be large enough to spark eruptions? (See McGuire et al., Prof. Pubs./Sea Level Science, this issue—Dec. 1997, and New Scientist, pp. 32-34, Oct. 11, 1997.)