Can we delay a greenhouse warming

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983

OSTI ID:5611240

Seidel, S

Evidence continues to accumulate that increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO/sub 2/) and other greenhouse gases will substantially raise global temperature. While considerable uncertainty exists concerning the rate and ultimate magnitude of such a temperature rise, current estimates suggest that a 2/sup 0/C (3.6/sup 0/F) increase could occur by the middle of the next century, and a 5/sup 0/C (9/sup 0/F) increase by 2100. Such increases in the span of only a few decades represent an unprecedented rate of atmospheric warming. Temperature increases are likely to be accompanied by dramatic chages in precipitation and storm patterns and a rise in global average sea level. As a result, agricultural conditions will be significantly altered, environmental and economic systems potentially disrupted, and political institutions stressed. Responses to the threat of a greenhouse warming are polarized. This study aims to shed light on the debate by evaluating the usefulness of various strategies for slowing or limiting a global warming. This study takes a first look at whether specific policies aimed at limiting the use of fossil fuels would prove effective in delaying temperature increases over the next 120 years. These policies are also evaluated for their economic and political feasibility. To put our findings in persepective, alternative, nonenergy approaches to limiting a greenhouse warming are also reviewed. 63 references.

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (USA). Office of Policy Analysis
• OSTI ID: 5611240
• Report Number(s): EPA-4900198; ON: DE84900198
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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