February 28, 2007
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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 5, NUMBER 11, NOVEMBER 1992
GENERAL INTEREST AND POLICY
Five items from Global Environ. Change, 2(3), Sep. 1992
(Butterworth-Heineman Ltd., publisher):
"Global Warming and Environmental Change in Sub-Saharan Africa,"
M.H. Glantz (ESIG, NCAR, POB 3000, Boulder CO 80307), 183-204. Reviews the
growing number of speculative scenarios about climate change impacts in the
region, highlighting conflicting, if not opposing, views. Such scenarios must be
used with caution; no single scenario should be used for determining
irreversible policy responses.
"Climate Change Management Strategies: Lessons from a Theory of
Large-Scale Policy," S.L. Rhodes (ESIG, addr. above), 205-214. Addresses
the concept of scale and its relevance to policy, using Schulman's theory of
large-scale policy to illuminate prospects and problems of implementing climate
change management strategies. Discusses challenges to establishing international
support for climate change policies.
"Economic Issues in Global Climate Change," J.A. Tobey (Econ. Res.
Serv., USDA, 1301 New York Ave. NW, Washington DC 20005), 215-228. Highlights
the critical role of economics in understanding and addressing climate change
impacts on society. Many of the necessary basic economic tools exist, but
application to climate change requires further research on topics including
adaptation of economic systems, the value of information and decision making in
the face of uncertainty, and world economic models.
"Global Environmental Degradation and International Resource Transfers,"
G. Bird (Dept. Econ., Univ. Surrey, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5XH, UK), 229-238.
Discusses how the developed countries, as gainers from policies to protect the
global environment, can compensate developing countries as losers, and still
gain. Examines various proposals for dealing with global environmental problems,
and advocates a scheme for international subsidies involving the World Bank.
"Social Decision Making in the Context of Scientific Controversies: The
Interplay of Environmental Issues, Technological Conventions and Economic
Stakes," O. Godard (CNRS, CIRED, EHESS, 1 rue du 11 Novembre, F-92120
Montrouge, France), 239-249. Deals with the need for new thinking in
environmental economics. Using as examples global warming, stratospheric ozone
depletion and forest death in Europe, discusses processes that circumscribe
possibilities for action. Policy making should emphasize time-sensitive
management of the relations among scientific development, the dynamics of mass
media interests, rhythms of technological innovation, investment flows and
Special section: "Greenhouse Equity," Global
Environ. Change, 2(2), June 1992, contains the following opinion
pieces relating to the controversy between India's Center for Science and
Environment and the World Resources Institute over methods for allocating
national greenhouse gas contributions:
"Estimating National Contributions of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The
CSE-WRI Controversy," D.R. Ahuja (Dept. Mgmt. Sci., Indian Inst. Sci.,
Bangalore 560012, Karnataka, India), 83-87.
"Should We Drop or Replace the WRI Global Index?" D. Thery, 88-89.
"Throwing Stones in the Greenhouse," M. Redcliff (Wye College,
Univ. London, Wye, Kent, TN25 5AH, UK), 90-92.
"`Environmental Colonialism,' Tropical Deforestation and Concerns Other
Than Global Warming," H. Brookfield (Div. Soc. & Environ., Australian
Nat. Univ., GPO 4, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia, 93-96.
"A Comment on `Global Warming in an Unequal World,'" N.S. Jodha
(Intl. Ctr. Integrated Mt. Develop., POB 3226, Katmandu, Nepal), 97-98.
"Comments on `Global Warming in an Unequal World,'" Z. Songqiao
(Inst. Geog., Chinese Acad. Aci., Beijing, PRC), 99-100.
Two more items from ibid.:
"Towards a General Method for Analyzing Regional Impacts of Global
Change," T. Malone (Dept. Marine Sci., N. Carolina State Univ., Raleigh NC
27695), G. Yohe, 101-110. The effects of global change are likely to be greatest
at subnational levels, but the integration of social and environmental science
on these levels is a challenge. Describes a pioneering government-sponsored
study of climate change in the central U.S., which has incorporated diverse
inputs from a range of disciplines and is potentially applicable in developing
"Renewable Resource Systems and Regimes: Key Missing Links in Global
Change Studies," K.A. Dahlberg (Dept. Political Sci., Western Michigan
Univ., Kalamazoo MI 49008), 128-152. As we move toward a post-fossil-fuel era,
societies will become more dependent on renewable approaches. Discusses
implications for food and fiber systems and activities such as agriculture,
grazing, forestry and fisheries, and the reconceptualization and rethinking
needed to restructure current systems.
"Negotiating a Climate Change Convention: The Challenge for Lawyers.
Part Two," A. York (Atty. Gen. Off., NYS Dept. Law, Albany, New York), Environ.
Law Sect. J. (NYS Bar Assoc.), 12(3), 4-7, Aug. 1992. Discusses the
U.S. position in the recent negotiations, as presented by William A. Nitze,
formerly of the U.S. Department of State.
"Some Results on the Scientific Problems Related to the Greenhouse
Gas Issue," C.C. Wallen (WMO, CP 5, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switz.), Atmosfera,
5(3), 157-168, July 1, 1992.
Points out problems related to the current overemphasis on modeling and
observational approaches to studying global climate change. Advises other
approaches (statistical, and examination of atmospheric properties other than
temperature). It is essential for political reasons to find, as soon as
possible, clear evidence that the greenhouse effect is being enhanced, and how
it is altering atmospheric circulation.
"Global Climate Warming," C.J. Ecsedy (Fuss & O'Neill Inc.,
146 Hartford Rd., Manchester CT 06040), C.G. Murphy, Water Environ. Res.,
64(4), 647-653, June 1992. A review with 85 recent references covering
global warming trends, climate modeling, feedback mechanisms, ecological and
sociological impacts, and policy.
"Energy and the Environmental Challenge towards the 21st Century,"
G. Kartasasmita (Minister Mines & Energy, Rep. of Indonesia), OPEC Bull.,
23(4), 7-10, Apr. 1992; continued ibid., 23(7), 4-7, 21,
An all-embracing approach to environmental problems must respect the needs
of developing countries, including those that are energy producers; they must
create their own program with an agenda and pace suiting their needs. Discusses
the unfairness of a carbon tax, and the need to consider greenhouse gases other
Two items from OPEC Bull., 23(3), Mar. 1992:
"Global Climate Change and the Role of the Oil-Exporting Countries,"
R. Salman (Deputy Secy. Gen., OPEC, Obere Donaustr. 93, 1020 Vienna, Austria),
7-9. Advocates a cautious approach to framing policies designed to combat the
problems allegedly caused by fossil fuels. Particularly disturbing is the
concept of a carbon/energy tax, which would result in a net transfer of funds
from the developing to the developed countries.
"Need for Global Perspectives on Environmental Issues," F. Birol
(Statistics Sect., OPEC Secretariat Data Dept.), N. Guerer, 17-21. Discusses
serious conceptual difficulties in the existing literature and studies of global
warming, such as concentration on CO2 emissions, omission of noncommercial
energy, and the importance of fuelwood consumption.
"CO2 Absorption as the Next Environmental Task for Forestry and
Agriculture," P. Loets (Husumer Str. 77A, W-2380 Schleswig, Ger.), Berichte
über Landwirtschaft, 70(2), 280-287, June 1992. In German.
Discusses a practical approach for creating biomass to absorb atmospheric
CO2 and its basis in the carbon cycle, in terms of agriculture and forestry in
Germany. Considers extensions of the concept to other countries in Europe and
the rest of the world.
"On Global Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide and Fossil Fuel Combustion,"
C.W. Garrett (Off. Fossil Energy, U.S. Dept. Energy, Washington DC 20585), Progr.
Energy & Combust. Sci., 18(5), 369-407, 1992.
An extensive review with over 200 references. The first part is a primer on
the scientific and technical aspects of climate change for those involved in the
technical aspects of fossil fuel combustion. The second part discusses economic,
demographic and international considerations.
Guide to Publishers
Index of Abbreviations