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 7, NUMBER 7, JULY 1994
PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS... OF GENERAL INTEREST: POLICY AND ECONOMICS
'Ultimate Objective' of the Framework Convention on Climate
Change Requires a New Approach in Climate Research," R.J.
Swart (Natl. Inst. Public Health & Environ. Protect.--RIVM,
POB 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, Neth.), P. Vellinga, Clim. Change, 26(4),
343-349, Apr. 1994.
An editorial that proposes a scientific means of translating
the rather vague and ambiguous objective of the climate
convention into more practical terms. A regionalized, risk-based,
six-step approach couples ecosystem vulnerability to atmospheric
concentrations of stabilized greenhouse gases using the results
of climate change simulations. The desired level and timing of
stabilization would be determined by a political appreciation of
associated risks for managed and unmanaged ecosystems.
Impact of Potential Abrupt Climate Changes on Near-Term Policy
Choices," R.J. Lempert (RAND Corp., 1700 Main St., Santa
Monica CA 90407), M.E. Schlesinger, J.K. Hammitt, ibid.,
Examines sequential decision strategies in which near-term
policies (1992-2002) are viewed as the first of a series of
decisions which adapt over the years to improved scientific
information. Calculates global surface temperature using a simple
climate/ocean model, and examines the policy implications of
abrupt changes in the sinks of CO2, methane sources, ocean
circulation, and climate sensitivity. The abrupt changes increase
the long-term costs of response, but affect little the
comparatively small cost difference among near-term strategies.
Human Effect on the Global Carbon Cycle: Response Functions to
Analyze Management Strategies," A.A. Keller (Electric Power
Res. Inst., POB 10412, Palo Alto CA 94303), R.A. Goldstein, World
Resour. Rev., 6(1), 63-87, Mar. 1994.
Uses a nonlinear carbon cycle model representing interactions
among seven biomes, high- and low-latitude oceans, the
atmosphere, and human activities affecting CO2 and methane:
fossil fuel combustion, biomass burning, agro-industrial
activities and land-use change. The resulting response functions
permit comparison of management policies or emissions scenarios.
For instance, conversion of temperate or boreal forest to
agriculture transfers to the atmosphere almost twice the amount
of carbon than does tropical conversion. The greater nitrogen
oxide content of fossil fuel enhances fertilization of
terrestrial biomes, lowering the atmospheric CO2 fraction.
Carbon Emissions: Equitable Distribution and Cooperation in a
Diverse World," R.Y. Redlinger (Synergic Resour. Corp., 1300
Clay St., S. 850, Oakland CA 94612), M.J. King, M. Nishimura, ibid.,
Any international scheme to allocate greenhouse gas emissions
among countries must consider the key issues of economic
efficiency and equity. This paper compares the economic and
energy-use indicators of 15 developed and developing countries as
a basis for discussing the essential factors that must be
considered in allocating emission allowances. Recommends a
least-cost global CO2 reduction mechanism instituted through a
central clearinghouse, and proposes a centralized fund for CO2
reduction projects created through carbon taxes .
Damage Costs of Climate Change: A Note on Tangibles and
Intangibles, Applied to DICE," R.S.J. Tol (Inst. Environ.
Studies, Vrije Univ., Amsterdam, Neth.), Energy Policy, 22(5),
436-438, May 1994.
Economic cost-benefit analyses of limiting greenhouse gas
emissions often point toward limited abatement. This note
illustrates how the utility function in such models, a
non-economic feature representing value choices, is important to
the results and needs more attention.
Energy Policies for the Brazilian Amazon," M. Redclift
(Environ. Sect., Wye Coll., Univ. London, Wye, Kent TN25 5AH,
UK), ibid., 427-431.
Development of the Amazon has been a concern because of
potential carbon emissions and loss of biodiversity; less
attention has been paid to its role as an energy source for
Brazil. Opposition to large hydropower installations has
attracted international concern, but alternative energy sources
including biomass should also be considered. The Amazon could
provide lessons of global significance regarding sustainable
Setting and Acid Precipitation in the United States," L.R.
Alm (Dept. Political Sci., Boise State Univ., Boise ID 83725), C.
Davis, Environ. Mgmt., 17(6), 807-816, Nov.-Dec.
1993. Examines issues that explain the longevity of acid rain on
the Congressional agenda in the 1980s; has implications for
climate change research and policy.
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