February 28, 2007
GCRIO Program Overview
Our extensive collection of documents.
Archives of the
Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
Published July 1988 through June 1999
FROM VOLUME 1, NUMBER 5, NOVEMBER 1988
OF GENERAL INTEREST
"Anticipating Climatic Change: Priorities For Action," J.
Jäger (Beijer Inst., Stockholm, Sweden), Environ., 30(7),
12-15, 30-32, Sep. 1988.
Author interprets the discussion and conclusions of the Villach and Bellagio
workshops following the International Conference at Villach in 1985. Both
workshops concentrated on technical and policy-related evaluations of the
greenhouse gas issue, and made recommendations for limiting or adapting to
climate change through long-term environmental planning. The Bellagio workshop
proposed a framework for comparing costs of alternative policies to make
"Toward Global Protection of the Atmosphere,"-- An overview of the
International Conference on the Changing Atmosphere: Implications for Global
Security held in Toronto, and its 22-point Call for Action.
"The Future of the Forest," A.E. Lugo (U.S. Forest Svc. Inst.
Tropical Forestry, Rio Pedras, Puerto Rico), ibid., 16-20.
Describes scope of rehabilitation and redevelopment of tropical forests
towards sustainable forest productivity, with species composition a secondary
concern. Diverse environments with characteristic ecosystem types, process
rates, and resiliencies require different strategies. Suggests further research
to set guidelines and goals for rehabilitation.
"Future CFC Concentrations under the Montreal Protocol and Their
Greenhouse-Effect Implications," T.M.L. Wigley (Climatic Res. Unit, Univ.
E. Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK), Nature, 335(6188), 333-335,
Sep. 22, 1988.
Examines the effect of the protocol agreement on future concentrations of
CFC-11 (CFCl3) and CFC-12 (CF2Cl2), using a simple chemical transport model with
production data as its basic input. The model consists of an atmosphere box and
a delayed-release box, that accounts for the fraction of production that does
not immediately escape into the atmosphere. Results show the protocol would
reduce the 1986-2030 warming commitment attributable to CFCs by a factor of
three to seven, but high CFC concentrations would still occur eventually unless
further restrictions are imposed.
"A Measurement of the Altitude Variation of Greenhouse Radiation
from CFC-12," W.F.J. Evans (Atmos. Environ. Svc., 4905 Dufferin St.,
Downsview, Ontario M3H 5TA, Can.), ibid., 333(6175), 750-752,
June 23, 1988.
Reports measurements that provide new experimental evidence to support
climate model predictions of the greenhouse effect. Demonstrates that CFC
emissions have modified the long-wave radiation budget of the atmosphere by
about 0.1%. In a balloon ascent from Palestine, Texas (31 ° N) in 1985,
measurements of the downward long-wave infrared flux in the 10.8 micro m band
of CFC-12 were made by a filter spectrometer, covering the spectral range 9-14
micro m, as a function of height over an altitude range 5-25 km.
"Assessment of Polar Climate Change Using Satellite Technology,"
D.K. Hall (NASA Goddard Space Flight Ctr., Code 624, Greenbelt MD 20771), Rev.
Geophys., 26(1), 26-39, Feb. 1988.
Results from general circulation models (GCMs) indicate that a global
warming will be amplified in the polar regions resulting in raised temperatures
and a rise in sea level. The important role of snow and ice in global processes
is being highlighted as large-scale satellite-derived geophysical data sets
become available and are being used as realistic input to GCMs. For example,
satellite-borne laser altimetry along with images of ice sheet extent can give
direct measurements of changes in mass balance of the ice sheets through time.
Monitoring the onset of lake freeze-up and breakup dates is possible with radar
and visible image data.
"Large-Scale Deforestation in the Southeastern Amazon Basin of
Brazil," J-P. Malingreau (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Ctr, Code 623,
Greenbelt MD 20771), C.J. Tucker, Ambio, 17(1), 49-55, 1988.
A multi-year (1982-1985) remote sensing study, using 1 km resolution data
from polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, surveyed large-scale changes in
the tropical forest of the southern portion of the Amazon Basin. Multiplicative
increases in large-scale tropical deforestation were associated with the
establishment of all-weather roads. Further expansion in the area will affect
over one-quarter of a million square kilometers of forests.
"Perspectives on the Impact of Short-Term Climatic Change in New
Zealand," C.R. de Freitas (Dept. Geog., Univ. Auckland, Auckland, New
Zealand), New Zealand Geographer, 43(3), 169-176, Dec. 1987.
Reviews how fast climate in New Zealand might change from greenhouse gases,
the nature of that change and possible effects. Suggests that variations in
climate will occur in many parts of the country. Discusses approaches to the
study of vulnerability to climate, management of atmospheric resources and
Guide to Publishers
Index of Abbreviations