Environmental impact statements and climate change

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Environment; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00139157.1989.9928935· OSTI ID:6035092

Prickett, G T; Wirth, D A

Recent demands by atmospheric scientists and policy makers for immediate, comprehensive, and effective responses to the threat of global climate change have focused political attention on policies and laws that affect the quality of the environment. In January, the Reagan White House blocked the issuance of policy guidance that would have directed federal agencies to consider global climate change in the preparation of environmental impact statements (EIS). The Bush administration now has an early opportunity to reverse this decision. Using detailed computer models of the Earth's climate, atmospheric scientists have produced startling scenarios of the future climate conditions that will results from increased atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases. These projection a predict higher average temperatures, changes in patterns of precipitation, greater seasonal and annual variability in weather, and an increased frequency of such extreme events as droughts and floods. Planning for adaptation to a changing climate will be far more difficult than acting now to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. While current models depict global changes reasonably well, they cannot accurately predict local and regional changes in the temperature and precipitation patterns. Unresolved questions about future impacts only underscore the need to act now to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The sooner action is taken, the more effective it will be. If policy responses are delayed, the eventual magnitude of climate change will be greater, and more radical measures will be required. In 1969, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) mandated that every arm of the federal government integrate environmental values into all aspects of work, At the heart of NEPA lies a strict requirement that the preparation of a detailed EIS precede all major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

• Research Organization: Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6035092
• Journal Information: Environment; (United States), Journal Name: Environment; (United States) Vol. 31:2; ISSN ENVTA
• 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)
500600 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CLIMATES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GLOBAL ASPECTS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
LAWS
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANNING
VARIATIONS
WEATHER