TABLE OF CONTENTS STAGE SET FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE, MARCHI, WIRTH TELL CGCP SYMPOSIUM READERS WRITE CGCP NOW THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY LAND-USE AND LAND-COVER CHANGES: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CANADA SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON PROBLEMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT: A RENEWED CANADIAN PRESENCE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND HUMAN SECURITY PROJECT STARTS UP GECHS — AN OVERVIEW MONTREAL — GREENHOUSE GAS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES UNDER DEVELOPMENT IMAGES OF A TIGER*: HELP FOR THE ACRONYMICALLY- CHALLENGED CCP INFO THE CANADA COUNTRY STUDY: CLIMATE IMPACTS AND ADAPTATION CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE - HIGHLIGHTS THE EARTH SYSTEM: GEOLOGY LESSONS FOR OUR FUTURE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "ELECTRICITY PRODUTION AND GREENHOUSE GASES : FACTS AND PERSPECTIVES" May 4-7 1997, Montreal, Québec RECENT PUBLICATIONS EVENTS CALENDAR

Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes: An Opportunity for Canada Dave Henderson, Canadian Global Change Program and Barry Smit, Department of Geography, University of Guelph The impacts of human activity on the global environment are vividly illustrated in the massive transformations of the earth's land cover. These changes reflect the use of land-based resources and have profound implications for the biosphere and for human well-being. Their causes and consequences should be of concern to all of us who depend on the earth's support system. Recognition of the importance of understanding these changes has prompted the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and the International Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change Programme (IHDP) to initiate a cooperative study with the general goal of improving our understanding of the dynamics of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LUCC) globally. The study is focusing on improving the ability to predict and respond to such change. A Science Plan for LUCC was presented at the first LUCC Open Science Meeting in Amsterdam in January 1996. The international LUCC program is expected to improve understanding of the biophysical and socio-economic driving forces of land use as they operate through the land manager; the land cover implications of land use; and the spatial and temporal variability of land cover dynamics. LUCC's goal is of direct relevance to Canada. Canadians are highly dependent upon use of land to derive livelihoods, food, wood and fibre, minerals, and many other industrial and recreational uses. Much of Canada's history and culture has been shaped by how Canadians have used and continue to use land. Accordingly, this country has developed scientific and technical expertise to understand changes involving land, their implications for various economic sectors and regions, and their ecological consequences. Canadian contributions to LUCC will strengthen our understanding of these dynamics and our ability to predict land use consequences. It will also provide an opportunity for Canadians to contribute to comprehension of a global issue which has far-reaching implications for the environment and humankind. The Canadian Global Change Program would be interested in hearing from you if you are presently researching this area, or are planning to. In your communication please provide an outline of your research in the area of land use and your interest in using your research to augment a Canadian contribution to the international LUCC program. If sufficient interest is demonstrated by the Canadian research community (government, university, NGO or the private sector) the CGCP will consider convening a workshop with other partners in late winter to examine the possibility of a Canadian contribution to LUCC. Please forward letters of interest to Dave Henderson at the CGCP Secretariat (address on page one). Copies of the international LUCC program Science Plan are also available from Dave Henderson.