Global environmental security: Research and policy strategies for the 1990s
The subject of global environmental change is emerging as one of the most hotly debated international issues for the 1990s. In fact, our earth system has undergone a nature-induced gradual change in climate on both a temporal scale that spans over millions of years and a spatial scale ranging from regional to transcontinental. Pollutant emissions associated with population growth and industrial activities manifest the anthropogenic climatic forcing that has been superimposed on the background of natural climate fluctuations. Our incomplete understanding of the global impacts of environmental pollution on the earth systems (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and lithosphere), however, make the prediction of the timing, magnitude, and patterns of future global change uncertain. This paper examines the science and policy background of global environmental change. The major scientific uncertainties and policy issues confronting decision makers are identified; and the scientific framework, as well as current national and international research programs aimed at resolving the scientific uncertainties, are discussed. A coherent, stable, and flexible policy is needed to provide a foundation for coordinated international-interagency programs of observation, research, analysis, and international negotiation toward a policy consensus concerning global environmental security. On the basis of what is currently known about global change, recommendations are presented on both near-term and long-term policy option decisions.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 7015301
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/CP-77199; CONF-9209160-11; ON: DE92040095; TRN: 92-038225
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International symposium on energy, environment and information management, Argonne, IL (United States), 15-18 Sep 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AIR POLLUTION
REGULATIONS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
ACID RAIN
CLIMATES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GASES
GLOBAL ASPECTS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
FLUIDS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
POLLUTION
RAIN
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)