Global climate change: toward a greenhouse policy

Journal Article · · Issues Sci. Technol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6034614

Mathews, J T

Over the past few years a scientific consensus has begun to emerge on the causes and likely impacts of the expected warming of the earth's climate due to rising concentrations of greenhouse gases. There is little agreement, however, on what, if anything, to do about it. The author reviews the scientific evidence on the likely greenhouse warming and outline various policy options. The temperature rise expected by the mid-2000s (a 1.5 to 4.5/sup 0/C rise) would alter most characteristics of global climate, changing rainfall patterns and growing seasons and leading to a substantial rise in sea levels. A 3/sup 0/C rise would put global climate beyond the range of human experience. It is concluded that the costs of waiting for scientific certainty are too great. Instead, she urges the US to act now to avert an unacceptably large greenhouse warming. Among other things, the author proposes steps to increase energy efficiency, reduce the use of carbon-rich fuels, phase out the use of chlorofluorocarbons (one of the major manmade contributors to global warming), and finally, to begin international discussions on the greenhouse effect and on long-range energy strategies.

• OSTI ID: 6034614
• Journal Information: Issues Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Issues Sci. Technol.; (United States); ISSN ISTEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
CLIMATES
COST
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FREONS
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
VARIATIONS