Princeton University/Columbia University/NOAA study. ... household income would be cut $2,000 annually, and 2.5 million
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Global Climate Coalition A voice for business in the global warming debate
Climate Economics Climate Science Climate Chanae Primer What Others Are Savinq Climate Chanae in the News
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GCC urges WASHINGTON, June 28,1999 - The balaneed scientific Global Climate Coalition today urged debate, increased Congress to support a vigorous, balanced debate and increased research Cl imate research that will find answers to a number of lingering questions surrounding the science of climate change.
"Science-not emotional or political reactions-must serve as the foundation for all policy "Nearly every scientist will admit there decisions,'I are many questions to which we do not
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>> June 3 The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) hailed a new U.S. DeDartment of Enerav rePort that industries in ever-areater numbers are takina serious actions to reduce greenhouse aas emissions.
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>> May 18 The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) apr,lauded the Clinton Administration for insistina on international flexibilitv in anv climate chanae tradina proaram desianed to reduce areenhouse emissions.
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>> Apr. 28 The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) said the Clinton Administration's hiah-prioritvfocus on carbon sequestration is a step in the riaht direction.
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>> Apr. 22 The Global Climate Coalition released its second inventory of industry voluntary actions to reduce areenhouse aas emissions, coincidina with Earth Dav 1999.
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>> Mar. 25 The Global Climate Coalition's executive director Glenn Kellv released a statement reaarding proDosed leaislation bv Senators Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Chuck Haael (R-NE) aimed at recoanizinq . .
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know the answers regarding climate change science," said GCC Executive Director Glenn Kelly. "The always-changing science of climate change makes quantum physics or Newton's Law seem like adding one-plus-one." The Global Climate Coalition has long advocated an expansion of the scientific research into the uncertainties of climate change. As a goal, the GCC supports efforts to reduce uncertainties and improve current climate models - a recommendation made by a National Research Council panel aimed at improving climate measurement accuracy. "The possibility of human-induced climate change is a serious issue, and one that merits a high level of concern and a thoughtful response," Kelly said. "Science - not emotional or political reactions - must serve as the foundation for all policy decisions." Kelly said decisions made without the benefit of adequate scientific understanding could have devastating, far-reaching economic, social and . 1' 1'P
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greenhouse aas emission permits internationallv must be unrestricted if it is to help reduce emissions, accordina to a new studv bv the economic forecastina firm Charles River Associates.
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>> Mar. 4 The Global Climate Coalition uraed members of Conaress to consider the benefits. costs and imlslications of anv Drolsosals develolsina a svstem of early credit for greenhouse aas emissions reductions.
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)> Jan. 29 The Global Climate Coalition recoanized the Clinton Administration for its broad-based FY 2000 budaet lslan to address climate chanae throuah continuina and expandina existina research and
p eff iciencv lsroarams.
>> Jan. 28 -The Global Climate Coalition's Board of Directors Chair Connie Holmes commented on an American Geophvsical Union statement reaardina climate chanae.
>> Jan. 20 - Reslsonse to President Clinton's remarks aimed at alobal warmina in the State of the Union address. >>
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Global Climate Coalition A voice for business in the global warming debate
CIimate Economics Climate Science Climate Chanue Primer What Others Are Saving Climate Chanae in the News Climate Watch Brief Newsletter Climate Links GCC News Releases GCC Studies GCC Mission HOME
GCC takes leadership role in industry-wide voluntary efforts BONN, GERMANY, June 3, 1999 - U.S. industries in ever-greater numbers are taking serious actions to reduce greenhouse gases, according to a new U.S. Department of Energy report. The findings of DOE'SEnergy Information Administration (EIA) were hailed by the Global Climate Coalition today as further evidence that there are voluntary and practical solutions to address concerns about the climate.
"Aggressivevoluntary efforts are forging ahead in every sector of the American economy to protect our environment and keep our economy strong," said GCC executive director Glenn Kelly. "Our members are acting on their conviction that promoting voluntary actions is good for the country and good for the environment.It Just last week, the Edison Electric Institute, an association of investor-owned utilities and GCC member, released a report that included a catalog of ongoing programs it has been implementing that have reduced emissions substantially. Speaking from Bonn where he is attending United Nations meetings on climate change, Kelly said, "With the Congress and the Administration focusing more and more on voluntary programs, we intend to make sure these increases in voluntary actions are heard clearly around the world. Kelly added that with a number of economic, scientific and diplomatic issues still unresolved, practical action - like the current voluntary efforts - is a prudent, effective path GCC members will continue to follow. The industry reports were filed under current law known as I'Section 1605(b)" fkom the 1992 Energy Policy Act, which established a voluntary program for reporting greenhouse gas emissions reductions or measures such as energy
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efficiency and tree planting. The EIA report is available at DOE'Swebsite: www.eia.doe.gov or through EIA's National Energy Information Center at (202) 586-1 156. ### The Global Climate Coalition is an organization of trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate participation in the scientific and policy debate on global climate change.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Frank Maisano, 202-628-3622
GCC Urges Balanced Scientific Debate, Increased Research
WASHINGTON7June 28, 1999 - The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) today urged Congress to support a vigorous, balanced debate and increased research that will find answers to a number of lingering questions surrounding the science of climate change. "Nearly every scientist will admit there are many questions to which we do not know the answers regarding climate change science," said GCC Executive Director Glenn Kelly. "The always-changing science of climate change makes quantum physics or Newton's Law seem like adding one-plus-one."
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The Global Climate Coalition has long advocated an expansion of the scientific research into the uncertainties of climate change. As a goal, the GCC supports efforts to reduce uncertainties and improve current climate models - a recommendation made by a National Research Council panel aimed at improving climate measurement accuracy. "The possibility of human-induced climate change is a serious issue, and one that merits a high level of concern and a thoughtful response," Kelly said. "Science - not emotional or political reactions -- must serve as the foundation for all policy decisions." Kelly said decisions made without the benefit of adequate scientific understanding could have devastating, far-reaching economic, social and lifestyle implications without any environmental benefit.
The Global Climate Coalition is an organization of trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate participation in the scientific and policy debate on global climate change.
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Global Climate Coalition A voice for business in thc global warming debate
Highway User Alliance Joins GCC
Climate Economics
Supports New Technologies, Market Solutions Rather Than Kyoto Treaty to Address Climate WASHINGTON, June 2, 2000 - The Global
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Climate Coalition announced today the American Highway User Alliance has joined the coalition that provides industry with a voice i n the climate change debate, according to GCC Executive Director Glenn Kelly. The American Highway Users Alliance is a nonprofit advocacy organization with a membership of over 300 organizations representing more than 45 million motorists and truckers. Since 1932, the Highway Users has served as the united voice of the transportation community promoting safe and uncongested highways and enhanced freedom of mobility. The Highway Users shares GCC's long-standing support of new tech nolog ies, voluntary partnerships and market-based solutions t o dealing with the serious challenge of climate change. The Highway Users also vigorously opposes the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that attempts to address climate change by forcing developed countries to limit energy use. Instead, the Highway Users support aggressive congestion relief programs that would not only provide enormous relief t o frustrated drivers, but would also significantly reduce emissions of green house gases. "Reducing the amount of time people are stuck in traffic with their engines running and smoothing the flow of stop-and-start traffic will reduce C02 emissions from the tailpipe," said Bill Fay, president and CEO of the Highway Users. "The GCC is a leading voice in the climate change debate, and we hope t o convince lawmakers to fix congestion first before embarking on more cumbersome regulatory schemes, like the Kyoto Protocol," Fay continued. A study conducted for the Highway Users last November by the prestigious firm Cambridge Systematics confirmed the tremendous benefits of congestion relief. The report, called Unclogging America's Arteries: Prescriptions for Healthier Highways, identified the nation's 167 worst bottlenecks and found that improving them to a minimally acceptable level of traffic flow would
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reduce C 0 2 emissions from cars and trucks driving through the bottlenecks by a whopping 71% 3/4 from 284,590,001 metric tons [313,770,674 short tons] to 82,325,319 metric tons [90,766,614 short tons]. "We are delighted t o have the highway users on board at the GCC," said Kelly. "Our goals and objectives are very similar. Now we must continue t o find new opportunities for our message of 'common sense instead of Kyoto.'" Kelly said the GCC would continue t o work at home and abroad t o advocate a better, long-term solution t o addressing the challenges of climate change. "This is an important time in the climate change de bate,'I KeI Iy add ed "The e nt ire inte rnat iona I process and the Kyoto Protocol itself are at a major crossroads. With the support of the millions of motorists and truckers represented by the Highway Users, we can continue t o promote a clean environment and a strong economy. The GCC membership includes business, agriculture, trade and manufacturing associations representing all sectors of industry that collectively represent more than 4 million businesses, companies and corporations.
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GCC Agrees with Clinton Administration: Maximum Flexibility a Must for Emissions Trading Plan Washington, May 18, 1999 - The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) applauded the Clinton Administration today for insisting on international flexibility in any climate change trading program designed to reduce greenhouse emissions.
The Administration's position came in response to Monday's European Union proposal to seek limits on carbon emissions trading in future United Nations negotiations regarding the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty overwhelmingly opposed by GCC, Congress and the American people. "The alarm bells of reality are ringing again on emissions trading," said Glenn Kelly, GCC executive director. "With the EU position, getting a workable emissions trading plan is about as likely as getting a ticket to see Star Wars." "The Clinton Administration must remain vigilant on this issue," Kelly said. "While knowing Kyoto is the wrong path to follow, we support their goal to achieve maximum flexibility on emissions trading." A recent study by the economic forecasting firm Charles River Associates (CRA) echoes the Administration and GCC position that any system for trading greenhouse gas emission permits internationally must be unrestricted if it is to help reduce emissions and costs. The CRA analysis found that unrestricted, flexible, and global market-based international trading would be the most cost-effective means for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. American industries and employers cannot afford to make their long-term plans based on rosy predictions and unknown flexibility when it comes to emissions trading, Kelly added.
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"We must do everything we can to minimize the damage to the economy that this plan would unleash," Kelly said. "For that reason, any emissions trading has to be unlimited."
CONTACT: Frank Maisano (202) 628-3622 ####
The Global Climate Coalition is an organization of trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate participation in the scientific and policy debate on global climate change.
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Global Climate Coalition -- Apr. 28, 1999 News Release
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Global Climate Coalition A voice for business in
the global warming debate
Climate Economics Climate Science Climate Chanue Primer What Others Are Saving Climate Chanue in the News Climate Watch Brief Newsletter Climate Links GCC News Releases GCC Studies GCC Mission HOME
GCC: A DMINISTRA TION HEADE0 IN RIGHT DIRECTION ON CARBON SINKS WASHINGTON, April 28,1999 - The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) said today the Clinton Administration's high-priority focus on carbon sequestration is a step in the right direction. The expanded plans for sequestration were included in a report sent to Congress highlighting the administration's performance goals for climate change and are emerging as United Nations scientists are concluding meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana covering forestry, land-use and land management and their role in climate change.
"Carbon sinks are a vital part of our climate system," said GCC executive director Glenn Kelly. "It is important to understand the role forests, forest management, agricultural land use and oceans have on climate change." "We must focus attention on the role of carbon sequestration in our environment," Kelly said. "Much of the sequestration is a natural phenomenon, but GCC members have also aggressively pursued programs at home and abroad that are specifically aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through carbon sequestration." With the heavy economic costs of the Kyoto treaty a looming possibility, Kelly said it is important to recognize, verify and account for all methods of carbon sequestration to increase flexibility and provide an accurate assessment of the true state of the climate.
"If North America is soaking up more carbon than we're using, that must be taken into consideration," Kelly said, referring to an October 1998 Princeton University/Columbia University/NOAA study. "It's just common sense." #### The Global Climate Coalition is an organization of trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate participation in the scientific and policy debate on global climate change.
Contact: Frank Maisano, 202-628-3622
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Voluntary, Common-Sense Industry Actions Are Reducing Emissions WASHINGTON, January 28, 1998 - The Global Climate Coalition (GCC) released the following comments by Board of Directors Chair Connie Holmes regarding an American Geophysical Union statement regarding climate change. The American Geophysical Union has verified our concerns that the science behind global climate policies is uncertain. First NASA scientist James Hanson raised concerns and now the 35,000 member AGU has acknowledged what we have believed all along: that we need to know more about the science of global climate change. Since our inception in 1989, GCC has promoted aggressive research aimed at knowing more about climate science. As for action, it has never been a question of inaction for industries. Since 1992, industries have reduced and controlled greenhouse gas emissions while investing billions of dollars on voluntary, common sense initiatives. Because of our government-industry partnerships, energy efficiency programs and research and development, we have made significant progress that will continue to protect our environment and our economy. ##
Contact: Frank Maisano, 202-628-3622 The Global Climate Coalition is an organization of trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate participation in the scient@ andpolicy debate on global climate change.
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CONTACT: Rebecca Smith (202)974-5026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chair of Global Climate Coalition Testifies on Kyoto Agreement's "Fatal Flaws"
Protocol Would Dismantle the U.S. Economy, Produce No EnvironmentalBenefit
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Washington, DC Constance D. Holmes, Chair of the Global Climate Coalition, today called for Congress to reject the Kyoto Protocol on global warming. "The Kyoto Protocol is a flawed agreement that cannot be salvaged with bilateral Band-Aids or further negotiations" Holmes said in testimony to the House Science Committee. Holmes cited four "fatal flaws" in the legally binding Protocol. 1. The Kyoto Protocol "is not an effective or equitable climate policy." It transfers power to UN bureaucrats who could control U.S. economic and foreign policy and limit our economic growth, with little if any environmental gain. It also places a "stealth tax" tax on American consumers and businesses. Finally, Holmes said, the Protocol's "market-based instruments," such as emissions trading, will prove to be very difficult to implement in time to achieve the 2008-2012 targeted timetable.
2. The Kyoto Protocol could cause serious economic harm. Holmes pointed out that, to meet the agreements emission limits, the U.S. carbon/GDP ration would have to decline 70% more rapidly than it did in the era of gas lines and recession. She also cited in-depth studies showing the U.S. economy would lose about 3% of GDP, or about $300 billion per year by 2010. Average household income would be cut $2,000 annually, and 2.5 million fewer jobs would be produced by 2010. Investment would be reduced by $35 billion per year. 3. The Kyoto Protocol would have little or no environmental benefit. Because the Protocol is not global, countries that will emit the most in the future will not be required to take any action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The emissions reductions from the US and other developed nations will be dwarfed by emissions from developing nations. Therefore, the economic pain experienced by the US will have no benefit if emissions reductions are the goal. 4. The Kyoto Protocol does not meet the requirements of Senate Resolution 98, which mandates the participation of developing nations. Holmes argued that, while the Administration says it is seeking participation of developing nations, which produce 52 percent of all new emissions, the likelihood of success is very small.
Holmes concluded by supporting SR 98's approach to balancing economic and environmental concerns, as well as "voluntary mitigation activities, continued research to reduce scientific uncertainties, further exploration of the benefits that might be realized under global JI and emissions trading programs, and open and public debate of this important issue." ###
The Global Climate Coalition has been actively engaged in both the international negotiations and domestic debate on climate for over 8 years. GCC members represent more than 230,000 companies from manufacturing, agriculture, forest management, transportation, energy, utilities, and mining. Members range from the smallest companies to major industw.
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February 3,1998 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Rebecca Smith (202)974-5026
The following is a statement by Gail McDonald, President of the Global Climate Coalition, responding to President Clinton's budget proposal of a $6.3 billion incentive package for research technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "Yesterday, President Clinton announced, as a part of his proposed 1999 budget a $6.3 billion package of tax incentives and increased research spending to reduce the nation's emission of greenhouse gases. "The Global Climate Coalition has steadfastly supported any and all efforts to provide incentives for new technologies that would enhance US competitiveness while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. Such an approach benefits both the US economy and the environment. Unfortunately, the recent international climate agreement approved in Kyoto sets targets and timetables for emissions reductions that cannot be met with such economic approaches. "The Global Climate Coalition has and will always support voluntary efforts on the part of both US business and industry and the American people to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. A Presidential plan which relies on this approach rather than on burdensome new taxes is a sound one." ###
The Global Climate Coalition is an organization of business trade associations and private companies established in 1989 to coordinate business participation in the scientific and policy debate on global climate change.
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DATE: January 27,1998 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Gail McDonald 202-778-2414 Rebecca Smith 202-974-5026
The following is a statement by Gail McDonald, President, Global Climate Coalition, on President Clinton's State of the Union address. "President Clinton's State of the Union message comes only weeks after the United States signed onto one of the most one-sided international agreements ever. The Kyoto Protocol worked out in Japan in December is an agreement that hands countries like China, Mexico and India, American jobs, harms our economy, endangers our children's future and promises to do virtually nothing to improve the environment. In the end, it's an agreement long on compromise but short on common sense. "We are fortunate to live in a country that has developed more solutions to complex problems than any country on earth. While the President considers tax breaks to encourage the development of new technologies to combat human influences suspected of causing global warming, we suggest he reconsider this agreement which in the end will turn back the clock for the United States rather than lead it into the 2IStcentury."
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“We could he coming out of the colder phase and into u wurmerphase of the cycle right now. . . I t 3 pmbably fair to suy that we’re seeing a component of nahcral vuriubflf[y”
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Or, Gerard Bond, Lead Researcher, Lamont Doherly Earrh Observatory, The New York Times, November 16, 1397.
“Global warming is not pmmU
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Sir John Mason. Chair, Graduate School of Environment, Imperial College’s Center for EnvironmerMal Technology, Reuters World Service, July 15. 1997.
Curl H. Davis. Depwtfi’iei’ilof Eleclrici-ll Erigirieeririg. Ui’iiver‘sily of Missouri: Craig A. Kluever. Depar 1rrit.i I L of Meclianical and Aerospace Cncjineering,IJniversity ot Missouri; and Druce J. Iklaines. Jet Fropolsion LaboraloIy, Calilofr’iia l~isliluleof T w l ~ i i ~ i ~Scia/ice. I~~y, Vol. 279. March 27. 1998
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“Yes, them hiZZJt? been these big climate cbunges. But 1 Lbink they’re all rcaturul,” Dr. William Gray, Climelologist, Colorado State Univorsity, The New York Times, September 7 , 1997.
“hour detu, the NRC fNulional Reseurch Council]punel seriously undervstimatcs the msearch qfforl mcyutmd to mdztce the uncerl&nQ iu the aerosol forcing to the specifled 2er)el... In tbe abserrce of this research, knowledge of climucrte msponse to pvtmbowe Jbrcing necessaryjhr confident policymuking .will be neliuni entirely on climrrte models hurling little mdible empirical crwtflrvnation.” Dr. Stephen E. Schwartz, Atmospheric Chemist, Brookhavsn Institute; and Dr. Meirirat 0. Androne. Biogeochemist, Max Planck Ir’intitutc, Science. Vol. 272, May 24, 1996.
“WeJQuw buy‘ the clivnate change from I850 to now can be uccounted fiw by tbe SUT~..).” Dr, Judlth Leen, Solar Physicist, Naval Resoarch Laboratory, TIE New York 7iines. Septenlbor 23, 1997,
“The temiieratures we w z e a v ~ m .from space an?actually on a rwvy sZigbr downward tmnd since 1979 in tile ~ U J Wtrofiospbew. We see major excursions due lo twlcantc oruplions like Pinuiubo, and oceun cirmjnt ,phenomc?nalike El Ntfit), but ozmall tbe tmnd is ubout 0.0.5degrees CeLsirAv per decude coolirag” Dr. Roy Spsnccr, Meteorologisl and Toam Leader, NASNMarshall Space FlighI Ceritar, NASAlMarshnll Space Flight Ceriter Web Site, February 6, 1997,
“??)emisn’t u big case being murlefiJr
the detection of gmcnhotfseurcrnni?aK,” Dr. Etiarr Farrdl, Professor of Motsorology.Harvard llnivorsity, The Washington Times, July 1 , 1997.
Dr. Tim Barnett, lnteryovernmontal Penel on Clirr1at.sChange, Workiriy Group I , Chapter 8.lead author on “Detection of Climate Change and Attribution of Causes,” and Climatologist, Scrlpps It1sliluteof Oceanography, The Washingon Posr, Seplernbcr 21, 1997,
“?&ewk aluiuys u c:bunce that what hqpening Is happening for nuturd wasom... ’’ w e ‘mseeing
Dr. Kevin Trenberth. Climatnlogist, National Cenrer for Atmospheric Research, Associated Press, October 6 , 1997.
“Someinclioicluals udll interpmt the wcent upswing in hurricune actitJity during 199s und 1,996and the expecved normal activity at evidence of climate changes clue to incmmed man-mu& gwenborcse gases.. . Tbew is no vwussl3able w a y such un interprctatiorc can he uccepted.“ Dr. William Gray, Climatologist, Colorado State Uriiversity, CEI Update, Vol, 10, No. 7, June 1997.
“Ibelieve we h i m ? a decade or so in ulbicb we can collect daiu uncl wflvre Q t m models bt?fore.we bUW to act.” Dr. Gorald North, Chairman, Texas A&M Department of Mereorology, Cincinnati Enquirer. October 25. 1997.
“Scientistsand kylwrsons have a pvwdf[ectir,njbr detmninisLic explunations of climute variations. Howeuet; clirnute can vaty chuotical&, Fe., in the absence of an.jbrcing.,. The sltghtesf ulteration of initid or boundury conditions chunges the derdoping puttemv, and thus next .year3 weather is inheenty unpwdictabld Dr. James Ilansen, NASA Godderd Institute for Space Studies, and 42 othors, Journal of Geopt1,ysical Research. Vol. 102, NO. D22. November 27, 1997.
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Trends in Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions ~~~~~~
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6 Greenhouse Gas Emissions According to research sponsored by the United Nations Environment Program, water vapor, which occurs naturally in the atmosphere, is the single most important greenhouse gas. It accounts for up to 90 percent of the warming that occurs when infrared radiation from the sun is trapped by greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere. These gases originate from such natural sources as plant and animal respiration, volcanic activity and from the oceans. Man-made ("anthropogenic") emissions also result from hum an activities such as energy consumption, agriculture and deforestation. Historically, the majority of man-made greenhouse gas emissions have come from the industrialized countries. More recently, the rate of increase in man-made emissions from these nations has slowed. This is due at least in part to tremendous improvements in the efficiency of energy consumption. At the same time, the proportion of greenhouse gases originating in the industrialized West began to drop significantly. The reason? Aside from the energy efficiency improvements just mentioned, the percentage o f total global emissions from the West is rapidly declining due to the increasing greenhouse gas emissions from both developing countries and those with economies in transition. In fact, the rate of increase in emissions from developing countries like India and China is so enormous that scientists now say emissions reduction efforts in the United States will have little impact on global emissions of greenhouse gases. Clearly, r eduction efforts should continue where they make economic sense. But, this trend does pose a serious challenge for policymakers, who must be able to show that costly mitigation efforts imposed on some countries will bring meaningful global results. Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Developing Countries
Many developing nations and countries with economies in transition have experienced population surges and tremendous economic growth over the past two decades. Industrial sectors are growing rapidly and standards of living are slowly improving. The result has been an increase in the amount of energy these nations consume. However, the widespread use of outdated and inefficient technologies (by Western standards) has meant that increasing energyuse has outpaced economic expansion in these countries by 20 percent. [ I ] Since 1970 energy consumption in developing nations has almost tripled, a rate of increase 15 times that of industrial nations, whose energy use rose only one-fifth as much as economic growth between 1973 and 1989. Developing nations today require 40 per cent more energy than industrial nations to produce the same goods and services. [2] This trend likely will accelerate as developing nations struggle to accommodate the demands of growing economies and populations. The U.N. Population Fund estimates a six-fold increase in the Earth's population over the next two hundred years. Such popul ation increases, along with economic expansion, will result in greater energy demands. Even if per capita energy consumption remains at current levels, population growth alone will spur a 70 percent jump in global energy-use within 30 years. With high r ates of economic growth, developing countries could triple their energy-use again by 2020. [3] The inevitable result will be increased greenhouse gas emissions from developing nations. In fact, the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that by 2025, developing nations and countries with formerly centrally planned economie s will contribute 68 percent of global, man-made greenhouse gas emissions, rising to as high as 76 percent within the following 25 years. By 2025, China alone will emit more carbon dioxide than the current combined total of the United States, Japan and C anada, according to IPCC projections. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced that, collectively, developing nations are already the world's greatest emitters of carbon dioxide. Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Industrialized Nations
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In contrast to the record of developing countries, industrialized nations have made significant improvements in reducing energy intensity (i.e., energy consumption per unit of GDP) since 1973. (Comprehensive data are available through 1988.) The World Res ources Institute reports that during this period, Japan's manufacturing sector decreased its energy intensity by 37 percent and the United States by 33 percent. Moreover, six European countries averaged a 29 percent reduction in energy intensity between 1973 and 1988. [4] Because these figures do not account for structural shifts toward less energy-intensive industries, overall energy performance actually improved much more - by 5 0 percent in the United States, 49 percent in Japan and 3 3 percent in Ger many. [5]
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The United States provides a good example of how such efficiency can yield both economic and environmental benefits. From 1973 to 1988, the United States built 20 million new homes, put 50 million more vehicles on its roads and increased its GNP 46 perce nt. However, energy consumption increased only 7 percent. This efficiency, resulted in both cumulative energy savings of more than $1 trillion and reductions of industrial carbon dioxide emissions (per unit of output) of 37 percent. A s a whole, U.S. man ufacturing reduced carbon emissions 8.1 percent while increasing production by 55.8 percent.
A s these trends continue, industrialized nations will be responsible for a smaller share of global greenhouse gas emissions. By 2000, the United States and Western Europe each will contribute 19 percent of anthropogenic global greenhouse gas emissions. The IPCC estimates that these shares will drop to about 16 percent by 2015 and to 12 percent by 2050.
Reducing Global Emissions
Developing countries could improve their energy efficiency and their economic competitiveness by using energy-efficient technologies currently employed by industrial nations. Investments in such technologies are a cost-effective way to reduce global green house gas emissions and could yield positive economic returns.
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By helping developing nations reduce the amount of energy needed to expand their industries, the United States and other industrialized countries can reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, enhance the quality of life in developing nations, and provide jo bs both at home and abroad. Domestic environmental and economic policies should encourage the widespread investment and promotion of environmental technologies in developing nations.
The Global Climate Coalition, the leading business voice on climate change, is an organization of business trade associations andprivate companies established in 1989 to coordinate business participation in the scientific and policy debate on the globa I climate change issue.
[I] Lenssen, Nicholas. "Empowering Development:The New Energy Equation."Worldwatch Paper 111, November 1992. p. 17. [2] Ibid. [3] Ibid, p. 16. [4] World Resources 1992-93. Oxford University Press, 1992. p. 21. (with U.N. Environment Programme 8, U.N Development Programme).
[5]The EOP Group, Inc. "Leadership In Energy Efficiency: A Comparison Of The U.S. Versus The Other Major Industrialized Countries." March, 1993.
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