UNITED-STATES-POLICY FOR MITIGATING GLOBAL CLIMATE-CHANGE

The primary objective of this paper is to explain current U.S. policy on global climate change. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) efforts to i mplement this policy will be described. A secondary objective of this paper is to discuss from a U.S. perspective the social and political e fforts which must be initiated in order for ocean storage of CO2 to be considered as a viable CO2 mitigation option. The fact that the Frame work Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) has not been successful in re ducing greenhouse gas emissions is now recognized. Thus, U.S. policy h as shifted towards the development of binding medium-term emissions ta rgets and long-term atmosphere concentration goals. The U.S. believes these goals can be accomplished through the adoption of cost-effective joint implementation agreements and international emissions trading m echanisms. Studies are currently underway to assess specific targets a nd timetables for emissions reductions. Voluntary efforts on the part of U.S. industry have proven to be extremely successful in reducing U. S. CO2 emissions. The U.S. electric utility industry has taken the lea d in voluntarily lowering greenhouse gas emissions under the DOE Clima te Challenge Program. As of August, 1996, nearly 600 utility participa nts, accounting for over 60% of electric power generation in the U.S., have joined the program. Areas of research interest to DOE include th e development of high efficiency advanced power generation cycles and CO2 sequestration technology. The U.S. currently spends $1.6 billion o n understanding global climate phenomena and only $1.6 million on CO2 mitigation research. A number of socio-political considerations must b e looked at in assessing the feasibility of ocean storage of CO2. Deve loping public trust appears to be a major concern in establishing the acceptability of ocean storage. Uncertainties in the effects of CO2 on marine life, potential safety hazards associated with pipelining, and ship transport of CO2 are all issues which must be dealt with as soon as possible. Some hidden costs associated with ocean disposal will al so be discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.