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These records pertain to Global Climate Change.
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Document identity
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285411061
label
Climate Change
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doc
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document
citationUrl
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1
Source metadata
id
285411061
contentType
document
title
Climate Change
description
These records pertain to Global Climate Change.
citationUrl
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23392-005
collections
Records of the White House Office of Policy Development (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Emily Mead Subject Files
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285411061
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2017-0310-F
2017-0310-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Policy Development, White House Office of
Series:
Mead, Emily, Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
23392
Folder ID Number:
23392-005
Folder Title:
Climate Change
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
23
17
1
4-15-91
FACT SHEET
The recent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report on climate
change is not inconsistent with the Administration's approach to
this important issue and is a contribution to our growing
understanding of global climate change. The study, "Policy
Implications of Greenhouse Warming," summarizes the science and the
limitations of our knowledge and recommends a number of actions
that could be taken to meet the challenge of climate change. It
highlights the uncertainties in modeling and the current
inconsistencies between trends in temperature and accumulation of
greenhouse gases. In setting a least cost hierarchy, it rejects
options requiring great expense.
Bush Administration policies, including measures enacted in
the Clean Air Act and proposed in the National Energy
Strategy, are projected to maintain U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions through the year 2030 at current levels, even
accounting for growth in economic activity. The NAS study
calls for a 10 to 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions at a constant 1990 activity level. Using the NAS
static assumptions ("no-growth") approach, which does not
factor economic growth into the greenhouse emissions
calculation, Administration policies will yield greenhouse
emissions reductions comfortably within the range advocated
by the NAS study.
Targets and timetables for the future reduction or limitation
of greenhouse gases as an aggregate, or of carbon dioxide
alone, are not advocated by the NAS study.
Elements of the comprehensive approach, endorsed by the
Administration, are highlighted. The study considers climate
change in terms of all greenhouse gases (using CO2
equivalent), not CO₂ alone, and the contribution of CFCs,
which are important greenhouse gases.
The Administration's policies address all greenhouse gases.
Precursors of ozone and nitrogen oxides are controlled in the
Clean Air Act. Methane will be reduced by proposed rules on
landfill emissions. CO₂ will be reduced by various energy
efficiency measures and by the powerful incentives from the
Clean Air Act's caps on utility emissions plus the flexibility
allowed in achieving those caps. CO₂ will also be reduced by
tree planting. CFCs will be phased out by the Clean Air Act's
provisions. A tax on production during the phase-out will
accelerate these reductions.
Efforts to limit deforestation, and modest domestic and
international reforestation efforts, are recommended in the
NAS report. The Administration has proposed a multi-year
reforestation proposal to plant one billion trees per year on
1.5 million acres, and to improve forest management practices.
The United States also supports debt-for-nature swaps, and is
active in pushing for a global forestry agreement.
A strong research program is endorsed by the NAS panel as an
important element of our response to the possibility of
greenhouse warming. The U.S. is currently investing almost
$1.2 billion in our global climate change research program,
which includes studies of the scientific, social and economic
questions surrounding climate change and possible policy
responses.
Research and development priorities cited by the NAS study in
areas such as solar energy and other alternative energy
sources, and energy efficiency are receiving additional
resources in the President's FY 1992 budget. The budget
includes strong efforts in biomass resources, and expansion
of solar and other alternative energy research efforts through
cost-shared collaborative ventures.
The study recommends R&D into the possibilities for adaptation
and the need to study geoengineering options. Because natural
sources account for 96 percent of the annual CO₂ flux, it
makes sense to investigate these options -- although it would
be premature to pursue them at this time.
Continued development of nuclear power is strongly advocated
by the NAS study. The President's National Energy Strategy
supports the development of a new generation of safe nuclear
reactors.
President Bush has established a comprehensive strategy for action
on climate change which is outlined in the brochure America's
Climate Change Strategy, and will be implemented through the
National Energy Strategy (NES), the Clean Air Act, and various
other means. The strategy is part of the Administration's
commitment to responsible stewardship of our planet, which includes
the promotion of economic growth and sound environmental policies.