National Issues in Science and Technology 1993 (1993) / Chapter Skim
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Climate Change Policy: Establishing United States Leadership Under the Climate Change Convention
Climate Change Policy: Establishing United States Leadership Under the Climate Change Convention
Pages 17-30
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II CLIMATE CHANGE POLICY Establishing United States Leadership Under the Climate Change Convention NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE
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Also in 1992, of course, leaders from 155 countries signed a climate change convention intended to reduce or offset emissions of greenhouse gases. In the months before the Earth Summit, the Academies' pane]
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The Honorable Albert Gore, Jr February 12, 1993 Page Iwo growth. Implementing these recommendations would also help to establish the United States leadership in fulfilling the provisions of the climate change convention.
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In the months before the Earth Summit, a special panel established by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine assessed ways of reducing emissions and the preparations needed to cope with climate change if it occurs.' THE THREAT OF CLI1\IATE CHANGE Greenhouse warming -- a rise in global average temperature due to increasing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases -- represents a new kind of global environmental problem that will likely continue to grow in importance. It is universally agreed that atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have increased over the last 100 years and continue to increase due to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other industrial and agricultural 'The Panel on Policy Implications of Greenhouse Warming consisted of: the Honorable Daniel J
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It is impossible to demonstrate scientifically whether or not this increase in global average temperature is due to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. Despite uncertainties, there is widespread agreement that anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions will eventually raise the global average temperature.
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Although there clearly is a relationship between population, economic activity, and climate change, it Is not a supple one. Increasing population is one of the major factors affecting trends in greenhouse gas emissions.
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Three general areas with the greatest promise of reducing or offsetting current emissions are: changing energy policy, eliminating halocarbon emissions, and using forest offsets. Energy Policy The United States can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by enhancing energy conservation and efficiency.
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Action items include efforts to: Develop combined cycle systems that have efficiencies approaching 60 percent for both coal- and natural-gas-fired plants · Encourage broader use of natural gas by identifying and removing obstacles in the distribution system · Develop and test operationally a new generation of nuclear reactor technology that is designed to deal with safety, waste management, en cl public acceptability · Increase research and development on alternative energy supply technologies (e.g., solar) , and design energy systems using them in conjunction with other energy supply technologies to optimize economy and performance · Accelerate efforts to assess the economic and technical feasibility of carbon dioxide sequestration from fossil-fuel-based generating plants The future energy supply mix will change as new energy technologies and greenhouse warming take on increased importance.
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It would best be coordinated internationally. Halocarbon Emissions The United States should continue the aggressive phaseout of CFC and other halocarbon emissions and the development of substitutes that minimize or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.
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Helping Human Systems Adapt An effective way to reduce vulnerability to future climate change is to make affected human systems more robust to current variations in climate. Specific actions include: · Maintain basic, applied, and experimental agricultural research to help farmers and commerce adapt to climate change and thus ensure ample food.
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- Conduct field research~on entire systems of species over many years to learn how carbon dioxide enrichment alters the mix of species and changes the total production or quality of biomass. Research should be accelerated to determine how greenhouse warming might affect biodiversity.
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The United States should resume full participation in international programs to slow population growth and should contribute its share to their financial and other support.2 Population size and economic activity both affect greenhouse gas emissions. Even with rapid technological advance, slowing global population growth is a necessary component of a long-term effort to control worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases.
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Such insurance will be effective, however, only to the extent that mitigation options are implemented effectively. Implementation of the recommendations outlined here would establish the United States as a world leader in addressing environmental problems and would help fulfill the provisions of the climate change convention.
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