I just want you to remove all the "verys" and just acknowledge it might only be a "bad thing"
http://www.pewclimate.org/media/oped_climatechange.cfm
The Pew Center on Global Climate Change is a non-profit,
non-partisan and independent organization dedicated to providing
credible information, straight answers and innovative solutions in the
effort to address global climate change. Established in 1998 by the
Pew Charitable Trusts, the Center is led by Eileen Claussen, former
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International
Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and staffed by a dedicated team
of professionals who are committed to advancing the debate in a
credible and stimulating manner
We stand at a critical juncture, and whether nations can agree on a
common path forward depends heavily on decisions now being weighed at the White House. The United States bears a special
reponsibility here, because we account for roughly a quarter of
global greenhouse gas emissions and also because our economy is
the largest and most vibrant in the world. If the United State wishes
to be a leader in this global effort ? rather than sit on the sidelines as other nations push ahead with the Kyoto Protocol ? it must come forward with a credible proposal that provides a basis for further negotiation. To be credible, though, the United States must demonstrate that it is prepared to back up commitments abroad with
real action at home. This requires a comprehensive climate policy
that moves us forward, in a coordinated fashion, on both the
domestic and the international fronts. We must close the gap
between what we promise and what we can deliver.
The economies of the world are inextricably linked today with the
availability of low-cost energy supplies, primarily fossil fuels. To
effectively arrest the growth in emissions and ultimately stabilize
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases at a level that
would prevent dangerous human-induced interference with the global
climate system will require a revolutionary new approach to satisfying the world's hunger for energy. There is considerable merit to beginning this process now, not only as a climate change insurance
policy, but also to propel our economy to greater heights.
With this nation's robust economy, powered largely by fossil fuels,
greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise at a rapid rate. U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions are nearly 12 percent higher than 1990
levels today and are expected to rise to 30 percent above 1990 levels
by 2010 under a business-as-usual scenario. With proper incentives,
the private sector can partner with the public sector to develop the
technologies and other measures needed to lower emissions and
lead the world in addressing this important environmental and
economic challenge.
Climate change is a complex global problem that will take several
decades to effectively address. Legislation on early action represents
a common-sense approach that can begin the process of lowering
emissions along a gradual, cost-effective glide-path.
"We agreed to create new channels of co-operation on this
topic," Bush said. "We don't agree on the Kyoto treaty, but we
do agree that climate change is a serious issue and we must
work together."
He said he objects to the Kyoto pact because it exempts
developing countries. "The goals weren't realistic. But that
doesn't mean we can't work together," Bush said.
Swedish Prime Minister Goeran Persson said the EU would
stick with the treaty, while the United States would "go on
with their policy." But he was sharply critical of Bush off-stage,
telling reporters that Bush's position is a heavy blow to the
international effort to curb global warming.
"It will have a tremendous impact, sorry to say, because it
would have sent an extremely strong signal if the U.S. had
stuck with the Kyoto protocol," Persson said.
He said he found Bush sincere in his desire to work with
Europe on climate change, but "the problem is we think that
he has chosen the wrong policies, and I have the impression
he thinks the same way about Europe."
EU Commission President Romano Prodi said he was pleased
that, despite its opposition, the United States would take part
next month in a global warming conference in Bonn, Germany.
"So the dialogue goes on, even if there are big differences,"
"We agreed to create new channels of co-operation on this
Prodi said, adding that ratification is under way in some European countries and will begin soon in others. "There is no
one message of refusal or delay over ratification," he said.
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