Greenhouse effect and climate warmup. The current situation (spring 1993)

The present article first recalls the conclusions of the preceding one, essentially based on the IPCC study (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Recently several scientists expressed their disagreements on IPCC conclusions, which we summarize on the present article. Recent complementary studies by the IPCC team are briefly presented, which do not contradict previous conclusions but contain some amendments, the French programme ECLAT, closely tied to international research activities, is briefly summarized. Recent political facts are mentioned: - A directive proposal by the European Community which aims at a taxation of fossil carbon used as fuel and energy in general, in order to favour the reduction of CO2 emissions. - The United Nations Convention on Climate Change signed at the Rio Conference (June 1992) by which 155 nations commit themselves to abate their emissions of greenhouse gases. No calendar and reduction figures are given, but subsequent texts specify relevant obligations. 1 tab